Registrar meets UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict

"Trial Chamber I of the ICC invited the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to submit her observations in the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo..."

(EMAILWIRE.COM, April 29, 2008 ) The Hague, Netherlands -- Today, the Registrar of the ICC, Ms Silvana Arbia, met Ms Radhika Coomaraswamy, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict. On behalf of the ICC, Ms Arbia briefed her on the work of the Registry as well as on the latest judicial developments at the Court. She also provided an update on the judicial work in connection to the upcoming trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo who will be tried by the ICC for the conscription and enlistment of children under the age of 15 and the use of children for active participation in hostilities in the Ituri district of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Further discussion included children affected by armed conflict and the Rome Statute.

During the meeting, Ms Coomaraswamy expressed her support for the work of the Court on war crimes and crimes against humanity concerning children. Noting the valuable work undertaken by the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in support of the fight against impunity, Ms Arbia said: “The trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo, the first of this permanent judicial institution, represents a milestone in the Court’s judicial development. It is a strong signal for those who play a role in cultivating the culture of impunity.” She also emphasised that it is the first trial at international level in which victims have the right to participate in the proceedings as well as the importance of protection of victims including children, one of the most vulnerable groups. Furthermore Ms Arbia highlighted, “The importance of creating synergies amongst all international actors involved in the fight against impunity”.



Trial Chamber I of the ICC invited the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to submit her observations in the case of The Prosecutor v. Thomas Lubanga Dyilo on the definition of “conscripting and enlisting” children. The judges also invited observations on the interpretation, focusing particularly on the role of girls in armed forces, of the term “using them to participate actively in hostilities”. In response, Ms Coomaraswamy submitted an Amicus Curiae filing on 17 March 2008



18.03.2008 - Submission of the Observations of the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict pursuant to Rule 103 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence
ICC-01/04-01/06-1229 - Original: English | Translation: French
ICC-01/04-01/06-1229-AnxA - Original: English | Translation: French
ICC-01/04-01/06-1229-AnxB - Original: English | Translation: French

18.02.2008 - Decision Inviting Observations from the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Children and Armed Conflict
ICC-01/04-01/06-1175 - Original: English


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