Testimonials

Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, 2005

“In 1995, when it began its efforts, thirty NGOs made up the Coalition, and such a Court seemed a distant dream to many. Ten years later, the Court exists, and our world has taken a major step forward in the quest to end impunity."

"The Coalition, which now comprises two thousand NGOs, drawn from all continents and representing many different cultures and legal traditions, played a critical role in that historic achievement. Often working with Governments, it helped to mobilize civil society support for the negotiation of the Rome Statute, for its early entry into force, for the establishment of the Court, and for the start of its work. In short, the Coalition has proved itself a true global partnership for justice.

While the founding of the Court is a great achievement, it is even more important that the machinery now in place be put to use, so that those responsible for crimes which shock the conscience of mankind are held to account before the whole global community. In striving for that goal, and the goal of universal adherence to the Rome Statute, the Coalition has an important role to play in the future.”

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Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 2009

 

“NGOs around the world can provide input to the Court’s decision-making process and that the ICC has special protections for victims and witnesses. These provisions make the Court a unique institution that has great potential to help create a culture of justice and peace.

ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, 2016

 

“The role of civil society will be crucial in solidifying achievements of the past, paving the way for new successes and resisting attempts to weaken international criminal justice. No doubt that the support of the Coalition for an International Criminal Court will be needed in the years ahead. The journey must continue.”

Richard J. Goldstone, former chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia and chair of the Coalition for the ICC’s Advisory Board

 

“The Coalition for the ICC plays an important role in ensuring that the International Criminal Court achieves its ultimate purpose:  the withdrawal of immunity for war criminals and the acknowledgment of the victims of serious war crimes.”

Mayor of The Hague Van Aartsen

 

“The existence of the ICC is thanks in large part to the lobbying by the Coalition for the ICC and other NGOs."

Philippe Kirsch, first ICC president

 

“The Coalition’s efforts have been invaluable in building and maintaining universal support for a strong, independent, and effective Court. As the Court has developed the CICC has evolved in its functions and role, but its core commitment to the values expressed in the Statute’s preamble has remained constant.”

First ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo

 

 “The CICC was the largest delegation at the Rome Conference. It helped States find, understand and discuss information, reach agreement on and, finally, approve the Treaty."

"Success came also from the wisdom of organizing and allowing for the joint work of hundreds of volunteers from all over the world. The CICC was also indispensable in reaching out to a number of States and encouraging them to bring about domestic ratification and implementation. 

The CICC was essential in advising the advance team that laid the ground work for the establishment of the Court. It was key in organizing the search for candidates for the most important positions, such as for the Judges. It was involved in how to set up the Office of the Prosecutor and, later, on the budget and in the functioning of the ICC. It is permanently working to establish the Rome principles throughout the world. 

The Coalition is a model of how civil society can work together, of how thousands of NGOs with different agendas can work collectively and play an essential role in the creation and the functioning of an institution. The CICC is a leader amongst organizations advancing the path towards greater peace and justice around the world.”

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Roy S. Lee. Formerly, Executive Secretary, United Nations Conference for the Establishment of an International Criminal Court

 

“As a coalition of more than two thousand NGOs that together represent millions of individuals around the world, these women and men are the main driving force in urging and helping governments to create and implement a world criminal justice system to fight human rights violations and to promote peace through the enforcement of law. "

"These women and men have translated their commitment into effective legal and political action through their worldwide awareness-raising, through countless direct dialogues with governments in capitals, through the preparation of numerous analyses on key issues, through the continuous production and dissemination of print and electronic information, through the formation of regional and thematic caucuses, through outreach to ministers, parliamentarians and the general public and through the sponsoring of persons from the developing countries to take part in the process.  

Government representatives acknowledged that without the assistance of the Coalition, there would never have been an agreement on a Court, let alone a Court with the strengths of the current Treaty. These strengths, directly reflecting the Coalition’s efforts, include the independence of the Prosecutor, the inclusion of crimes committed in internal armed conflict and of sexual violence, fair trial and due process for the accused, and restorative and compensatory remedies for victims.”

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Benjamin B. Ferencz was a Prosecutor at the Nuremberg trial

 

“As young people lined the balconies at the United Nations and bombarded delegates with petitions and recommendations, the voice of those yearning for a more humane and peaceful world was heard."

"The Coalition brought together a vast array of interested citizens dedicated to the creation of the vital new institution through peaceful means of persuasion. Being able to inspire and keep such a diverse group working together for so long is a credit to all of its coordinators. It epitomizes the wave of the future where the voice of the people can no longer be ignored. It should not be forgotten that the ICC is a new-born babe and it must be nurtured and helped to maturity - despite opposition by short-sighted or misguided adversaries. Improved international laws, courts and enforcement are still needed.”

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Adriaan Bos, Formerly, Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the ICC, 2005

 

“The impact of the CICC on the text of the Statute is substantial, as for example can be seen in the articles concerning the powers of the Prosecutor, in the gender-related crimes and in the articles dealing with the victims."

"The CICC continued its efforts after the adoption of the Statute at the Rome Conference to secure worldwide ratification of the Statute. It has successfully promoted democratic and progressive procedures and criteria with regard to the election of judges and in many other ways has been of assistance in elaborating the structure and operations of the Court. 

The worldwide respect for the CICC and its work becomes clear since it is three times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Assembly of States Parties to the Statute adopted in its second session, held in September 2003, a resolution recognizing the contributions of the CICC to the establishment of the Court. 

After counting the blessings, it is also realistic to face the incompleteness. There is still no universally accepted court. On the contrary, the Court is still more or less vigorously opposed by a number of important states. By its deeds the Court may persuade those states to become parties. The role of the CICC remains however of equal importance.”

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William Pace, Convenor of the Coalition for the ICC, 2002

 

"When we started in the mid-90's, and even right up until Rome in 1998, people thought it was going to take 50 or 100 years before governments would be willing to create a permanent international criminal court."

"After the treaty was adopted - because of the opposition of the U.S., China, India and other countries - it was thought that it would probably take at least 15, 20, 25 years for 60 ratifications. Many countries, like Germany and France, have had to change their Constitutions to ratify. Yet here, less that four years later, we will have achieved the 60 ratifications.  It's a real demonstration how much the mobilization of democracy and justice and the rule of law is also proceeding in international affairs.” 

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Pamela Yates, director of The Reckoning, 2009

 

“There is an untold story of the role of civil society, non-governmental organizations from around the world who worked tirelessly for years preparing for the Rome Conference where the Rome Statute, the treaty that created the ICC was affirmed by 120 countries in 1998."

"Even for the creators, it was thought that it would take another 10 years before at least 60 countries would ratify the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court could come into existence. But again, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court swung into action and within 4 years 66 countries had ratified the Statute and the ICC was born. That day, July 17th, has now been officially named International Justice Day.”

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Hans Peter Kaul, Second Vice President of the International Criminal Court

 

"...On the other side, there was the large group of like-minded states, in general consisting of smaller or medium-sized states, who advocated a truly effective and independent world criminal court. The like-minded States were fully supported by the International NGO Coalition and its members, who already then proved to be steadfast and reliable allies."

Jody William, Nobel Laureate for Peace, International Campaign to Ban Landmines

 

“The Coalition for the ICC is a demonstration of the right and the responsibility of civil society to be an agent for positive change to help create a m ore just world for us all."

Hon. Arthur N.R Robinson

 

“An international institution which many, perhaps most, believe could not be established within their lifetime, or at all, assisted by the strong and vigorous efforts of the Coalition, came into being.”

Hans Corell, former Chief Legal Adviser of the Ministry of Justice and Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Legal Counsel of the United Nations. 2016

 

"I see a continued role for the CICC to develop support among the general public in all countries in order to influence states that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute to become parties to the Statute.”

 

 

 

“A serious weakness is that some powerful states, including permanent members of the Security Council, have not ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. This is a major setback in a world where states are increasingly interconnected and where the rule of law principles must be observed equally by all".

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