Paris, The Hague, 5 December 2024. As the ICC continues to pursue accountability for mass atrocities in an increasingly challenging global landscape, its collaboration with civil society has never been more vital. FIDH and CICC’s new report Civil Society and the ICC: Pathways to Collaborative and Genuine Engagement acknowledges the indispensable role of civil society organisations (CSOs), and also provides a roadmap for overcoming challenges and fostering more inclusive, transparent, and impactful partnerships. This report is the result of extensive consultations and research into the critical role of CSOs in supporting the ICC’s work and how these partnerships can be strengthened to achieve greater accountability and justice.
The report highlights both the significant contributions of CSOs in advancing the ICC’s mandate and the obstacles hindering effective collaboration. It underscores the multifaceted and longstanding role of CSOs, which includes serving as intermediaries between the Court and victims, documenting atrocities, advocating for state cooperation, submitting Article 15 communications, providing technical expertise, and ensuring the ICC’s visibility in affected communities. At the same time, it identifies critical challenges such as unclear frameworks for working with intermediaries, inconsistent communication channels, inadequate outreach efforts, and limited protection for human rights defenders.
The report concludes with actionable recommendations and best practices directed at the ICC, the Trust Fund for Victims, and States Parties, including the following.
1. Ensure ongoing, systematic, and trust-based engagement between the ICC and civil society.
2. Increase and strengthen outreach, communication, and field engagement.
3. Evaluate and clarify the role of ICC Intermediaries.
4. Ensure security and protection for civil society and human rights defenders.
Attend the launch of the report, which will take place during a side event at the 23rd Assembly of States Parties
📅 Date: Friday, 6 December 2024
🕒 Time: 13:15–14:45 CET
📍 Location: Antarctica Room, World Forum, The Hague
🌐 Languages: English, French, Spanish
Sponsored by: Costa Rica, Finland, Slovenia, and South Africa
The event, moderated by Danya Chaikel, FIDH’s Permanent Representative to the ICC, will benefit from the active participation of:
– Osvaldo Zavala Giler, Registrar of the International Criminal Court,
– Mame Mandiaye Niang, Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
– Arie Mora, Communication & Advocacy Manager at the Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group (ULAG)
– Basel Alsourani, International Advocacy Officer, Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR)
– Libyan CSO Representative
Link to the full report below :
