(EMAILWIRE.COM, March 19, 2013 ) The Hague -- On 18 March 2013, the International Criminal Court (ICC) held a ceremony to welcome Côte d’Ivoire as the 122nd State Party to the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty. The Statute will enter into force for Côte d’Ivoire on 1 May 2013.

In a symbolic act held at the seat of the Court, the ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, congratulated the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mr Sallah Ben Abdelkader Hamza, and presented him with a special edition of the Rome Statute.

ICC President Song welcomed the new State Party member, saying: “Today, I wish to commend the endeavours of the Ivorian authorities in overcoming the many hurdles at a national level and turning to the ICC in response to the suffering of the Ivorian people, with the aim of restoring peace and justice to a country scarred by conflict. I am certain that Côte d’Ivoire has embarked on a new era, where reconciliation and justice will contribute to ensuring lasting peace”.



The ASP President, H.E. Ms Tiina Intelmann, added that this initiative makes Côte d’Ivoire “the 34th African State, and the thirteenth Member State of the Economic Community of West African States, to join the Rome Statute family. Given its role and influence in West Africa, Côte d’Ivoire’s ratification emphasizes the commitment of the countries of the region to justice and to the fight against impunity”.



The Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mr Sallah Ben Abdelkader Hamza said that, as a member of the Rome Statute family, “Côte d´Ivoire is expecting an opened and fruitful dialogue with the International Criminal Court. In this regard, we will not hesitate to revert to the Court for advice and support, particularly for the implementation of the Rome Statute in our judicial system”.



The ceremony was held in the presence of the following judges of the Court: First Vice-President Judge Sanji Monageng, Judge Akua Kuenyehia, Judge Erkki Kourula, Judge Joyce Aluoch and Judge Fatoumata Dembele Diarra. The ICC Prosecutor, Mrs Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Deputy Prosecutor, Mr James Stewart, and the ICC Deputy Registrar, Mr Didier Preira also attended the ceremony.



Speeches

ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song (Français)

ASP President Ambassador Tiina Intelmann (English, Français)

Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mr Sallah Ben Abdelkader Hamza (Français)



Photographs:
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEphwSm

YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqs60yOAtCc

Video for download:
http://www.fileserver.icc-cpi.info/video/110916_Welcoming_Cote_d_Ivoire.mp4



For further information, please contact Fadi El Abdallah, Spokesperson and Head of Public Affairs Unit, International Criminal Court, by telephone at: +31 (0)70 515-9152 or +31 (0)6 46448938 or by e-mail at: fadi.el-abdallah@icc-cpi.int.

Contact Information:
The International Criminal Court (ICC)
Fadi El Abdallah
Tel: +31 (0)70 515-9152
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