law event
International justice day observed
Nazma Begum
July 17 has been observed as International Justice Day, commemorating the day on which the international community adopted the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court in 1998. Each year, human rights activists around the world use this day to host events and activities to promote international justice and specifically support for the ICC.
The International Criminal Court is, in today's world order, a much-needed institution for the protection of human rights and promotion of justice. A total of 139 countries have, to date signed the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court and 99 have ratified it. ICC is a permanent independent judicial body created by the international community of states, through the Rome Statute to prosecute the gravest crimes under international law including genocide, other crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. To observe this day Odhikar has organised an orientation workshop on ICC for the law students and faculties of the Rajshahi University, Rajshahi.
The opening session was presided over by Dr. Asma Siddiqua, Dean and Chairman, Department of Law and Justice, University of Rajshahi. She thanked Odhikar to organise this workshop and informed her students that as part of Odhikar's ICC awareness campaign, this workshop has been organised in Rajshahi. Technical Advisor of Odhikar , J Hasan was made a brief presentation on Rome Statute. He briefed about the statute and simplified the jurisdiction of the Court. ICC has jurisdiction over individuals who commit most serious crimes of universal concern; namely, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression. Elaborating the mechanism he expressed his views on International Criminal Justice system and the role of the ICC.
Professor Rabiul Hossain, senior teacher of department of Law, University of Rajshahi stressed on the formation of international institutions and the role of United Nations. He read out some important provisions of Rome Statute and explained some clause of the statute to the participants. In the question/answer session Mr. Hasan simplified a lot of quires of the participants.
Some eminent teachers of the Law Department expressed their views and opinion about ICC which is the last resort of humanity. One of them shared his experience on the trail chamber of ICC, as he recently joined in a program at the headquarter of International Criminal Court in Hague.
Sultana Razia, from Law Desk, The Daily Star, briefed the participants about the victim and witness protection under ICC.
Dr. Asma Siddiqua, thanked the participants for being present in the workshop and thanked Odhikar to observe the International Justice Day with the University of Rajshahi.
The author is working as a documentation officer, Odhikar.
