International Justice Day July 17

Dear Members and Supporters, The Faith and Ethics Network for the International Criminal Court (FENICC) would like to draw your attention to July 17th, International Justice Day, a day celebrating the completion of the Rome Statutes and the inception of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Every year, since the courts consummation in 1998, July 17th has marked a day to call attention to the ICCs mission and the grave atrocities produced by war and genocide, past and present. This July 17th marks a critical juncture in the ICCs history, as the court concludes its first trial and holds its second elections. The court was founded with a bold mission: bring the perpetrators of atrocities to justice. After almost 10 years, even with an array of cases under investigation or preliminary examinations, the court and its mission is still not a fully developed instrument. Indeed, the United States has still not yet accepted the courts jurisdiction by ratifying the Rome Statues. How the court performs these next few years, thus, will be critical. This year, July 17th happens to fall on a Sunday, offering Christian faith-based organizations a unique opportunity to show their support for the ICC. Here at FENICC, we believe the ICC principals of justice and universal brotherhood are strongly in accordance with the values of all religions, and thus deserve our support. If your faith congregates on Sundays, we ask that you encourage your congregations to include International Justice Day in their Sunday service. How can your congregation celebrate International Justice Day?

Discuss the importance of the ICC with a litany (http://www.amicc.org/docs/litany_ICC.pdf) created by some FENICC participants to assist members of all faiths to integrate International Justice Day into their services. Draw attention to ongoing atrocities, where the ICC could make a difference. o Syria After his county erupted into protest this January, President Bashar al-Assad initiated a brutal and merciless repression, prompting calls for U.N. Security Council intervention and for the ICC to open an investigation in al-Assad. Whether the ICC will follow through remains to be seen. Meanwhile, president Assad continues his brutal crackdown, claiming a grave, but so far undeterminable, toll of life. o Darfur, Sudan In 2009, the ICC issued a warrant for the arrest of Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir on counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Al-Bashir has managed to stay free so far by keeping out of countries, which would be obligated to arrest him and send him to the court. As recently as this month, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo reports the al-Bashir continues to commit grave crimes. o Libya The court may soon issue arrest warrants for Col. Gaddafi and other senior Libyan leaders, likely leading to their prosecution for their role in the violence and bloodshed there. The US voted for a referral by the UN Security Council of the Libyan situation to the court. Learn about the ICCs founding by organizing a screening of The Reckoning: The Battle for the International Criminal Court. o Non-profits and NGOs may request a free screening. Visit here for more information. Distribute flyers (http://www.amicc.org/docs/ICC_at_a_Glance.pdf) provided by the AMICC.

For suggestions or assistance in planning an event for International Justice Day, contact llaskai@uu-uno.org.