24.11.2012 Views

Prosecuting International Crimes in Africa - PULP - University of ...

Prosecuting International Crimes in Africa - PULP - University of ...

Prosecuting International Crimes in Africa - PULP - University of ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Positive complementarity and the fights aga<strong>in</strong>st impunity <strong>in</strong> <strong>Africa</strong> 275<br />

The 31 <strong>Africa</strong>n states that have signed and ratified the Rome Statute<br />

did not do so under duress or compulsion but under what could be seen as<br />

a genu<strong>in</strong>e effort to tackle human rights atrocities endemic <strong>in</strong> <strong>Africa</strong>. The<br />

current allegations by <strong>Africa</strong>n leaders that the ICC prosecutions would<br />

destabilise the cont<strong>in</strong>ent is one that needs to be discussed on its merits.<br />

In propos<strong>in</strong>g positive complementarity <strong>in</strong> the fight aga<strong>in</strong>st impunity, it<br />

should be noted that the pr<strong>in</strong>ciple <strong>of</strong> complementarity applies even when<br />

the case is before the ICC. There is no difference whether the case before<br />

the ICC is by self referral, proprio motu or through Security Council<br />

referral. 177 The OTP and states could therefore learn from each other <strong>in</strong><br />

relation to mutual cooperation and assistance. The OTP should maximise<br />

the positive complementarity regime <strong>of</strong>fered by both the Rome Statute and<br />

Resolution 1593 to co-operate with the AUHIP <strong>in</strong> its activities <strong>in</strong> Darfur.<br />

Likewise, developments <strong>in</strong> the DRC and Uganda <strong>of</strong>fer synergies <strong>of</strong> cooperation<br />

that can be maximised by the OTP to ensure that states hold<br />

their nationals accountable. Accord<strong>in</strong>g to Judge Sang-Hyun Song,<br />

President <strong>of</strong> the ICC, 178<br />

<strong>in</strong> a national sett<strong>in</strong>g, effective positive complementarity requires both a good<br />

legal framework and necessary capacity <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> skills and resources for<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestigations, prosecutions and trials ... [t]he ICC itself is <strong>of</strong> course glad to<br />

support the strengthen<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> national capacity by act<strong>in</strong>g as a catalyst and a<br />

facilitator where possible.<br />

Through positive complementarity, the OTP will be seen as hav<strong>in</strong>g a<br />

broader role <strong>of</strong> end<strong>in</strong>g impunity by encourag<strong>in</strong>g national jurisdictions to<br />

undertake their own <strong>in</strong>vestigations and prosecutions <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>ternational<br />

crimes. 179 Encourag<strong>in</strong>g states to undertake prosecutions at the national<br />

level should not be seen as the only goal or success <strong>of</strong> positive<br />

complementarity. Rather, it should be used primarily by the OTP as a<br />

policy tool to maximise the impact <strong>of</strong> the ICC and this rema<strong>in</strong>s subject to<br />

the overarch<strong>in</strong>g imperative <strong>of</strong> effective and expeditious justice. 180<br />

177 R Cryer ‘Sudan, Resolution 1593, and <strong>in</strong>ternational crim<strong>in</strong>al justice’ (2006) 19 Leiden<br />

Journal <strong>of</strong> <strong>International</strong> Law 195, 220.<br />

178 ICC ‘Keynote remarks by Judge Sang-Hyung Song, President <strong>of</strong> the <strong>International</strong><br />

Crim<strong>in</strong>al Court at the ICTJ retreat on complementarity’ Greentree Estate, New York,<br />

28 October 2010, http://www.icc-cpi.<strong>in</strong>t/NR/rdonlyres/01E1CD2E-8B10-4E67-<br />

83E3-011C499B49B9/282629/101028PresidentSong.pdf (accessed 10 November<br />

2010).<br />

179 Burke-White (n 48 above) 59, 61.<br />

180 Stahn (n 47 above) 87, 109.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!