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ABA Emphasizes the ICC’s Progress and Potential in Ending Impunity and Preventing Mass Atrocities Before the Assembly of States Parties

United Nations, New York, Dec. 2017: The American Bar Association (ABA) emphasized the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) role as a “bulwark against impunity” for perpetrators of mass atrocities before the 16th Session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court in New York.

Delivered by ABA’s ICC Project Board Member Christopher “Kip” Hale, the ABA’s statement emphasized the need for States Parties’ continued commitment to the ICC through political, financial, procedural, and other support, and underscored States’ role in empowering the Court to fight against impunity for atrocity crimes. This support was necessary, Hale said, in “mak[ing] achieving justice feasible; securing a durable peace, possible; and, by extension, making deterrence more likely.” With 2018 marking the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute, Hale recalled the importance of accountability, prevention, and equality in the pursuit of international justice.

Read the full statement here.

ABA Statement before the 16… by on Scribd

ABA statements from past ASP meetings can be found here.

The American Bar Association’s (ABA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Project is an independent initiative of the ABA Center for Human Rights that advances international criminal justice and US-ICC relations through advocacy, education and practical legal assistance. For more information about the ABA’s ICC Project, please visit its website.

For true commitment to justice is found not in mere statements of principle; it requires the commitment of resources that make achieving justice feasible; securing a durable peace, possible; and, by extension, making deterrence more likely.

— Statement of Michael S. Greco (delivered by Christopher “Kip” Hale, ABA’s ICC Project Board Member)