(EMAILWIRE.COM, July 11, 2008 ) The Hague -- ICC-CPI-20080710-PR339-ENG -- Today, the Registrar of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Silvana Arbia concluded her first visit to Bangui, in the Central African Republic (CAR) since being sworn in on 17 April 2008. It follows previous missions of the Registrar to the Democratic Republic and Uganda as part of Ms Arbia’s commitment to bring the Court and its work closer to those communities affected by the events under ICC investigation.

This was the first opportunity for a senior Court official to explain the judicial developments related to the Mr Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo case shortly after his surrender and transfer to the Court on 3rd July 2008.

During her one-day trip Ms Arbia met senior government officials including the Prime Minister, Faustin Archange Touadera and the Minister of Justice, Thierry Maleyombo. In these meetings the Registrar conveyed her appreciation to the Central African authorities for the co-operation provided to the Court.

Ms Arbia met also with the diplomatic corps and various international organisations accredited in the Central African Republic and provided them with an update on the Court’s judicial work.

Further exchanges of views took place with representatives of local media and local civil society organisations and focused on the Registrar’s responsibilities with respect to ensuring effective participation of victims and witness protection.

In view of the crimes committed in the CAR the Registrar underlined during the meetings "the necessity of ensuring the effective participation of victims" and underscored "the importance of witness protection".

The Registrar also commended the work done by the staff in the field office only 8 months after the opening.

###

This press release was issued through GroupWeb EmailWire.Com. For more information on unlimited press release distribution service, go to http://www.emailwire.com

Contact Information:
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Ms Sonia Robla
Tel: +31 (0)70 515-8089
Email us