Review conference of the International Criminal Court

Description

The peace laureates led a delegation to the first ever Review Conference of the ICC. The International Criminal Court has the potential to be a powerful tool in the struggle for gender justice– it has criminalized rape as a weapon of war and other atrocities that specifically target women and girls. The Court provides a glimmer of hope to the millions who have lived the daily reality of armed conflict and sexual violence.

On June 1^st members of the delegation from four countries – Uganda, the DRC, Central African Republic and Sudan) – participated in a Women’s Court, giving testimony on their own experiences. Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai facilitated the session with women activists from Uganda.  These courageous individuals reflected on the situation of women in Northern Uganda and spoke of their ongoing efforts to bring peace to the region.

Founded in 1998, the ICC has established tribunals to seek accountability for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The Rome statute, which was under review at this session, is especially important for women, who are often subjected to the most egregious offenses.

Although women make up a significant portion of the victims in conflict, they often have no voice in its resolution, including the processes for holding perpetrators accountable.  The ICC addresses this injustice. 

Finally, this court is intended to do what all criminal justice is supposed to do – deter future crimes.  If it can – if it does – it may save thousands of people from being victims of terrible crimes – and many of those saved would be women.

Laureates

Shirin Ebadi
Wangari Maathai

Find out more

Media Release

ICC offers hope of justice for women

Videos

Listen to Wangari Mathai talk about why the ICC should prosecute gender-based crimes