The International Criminal Court

Encouraged by the accomplishments of the ICC simulation on last year’s conference, the LEMUN 2008 staff has decided to continue with this successful formula during the next conference. After sharpening its teeth by prosecuting two Sudanese nationals – accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity - last year, one of whom was sentenced to a lengthy prison term, the International Criminal Court of LEMUN 2008 will change its focus to the investigation and subsequent prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Uganda.

Case
Although the conflict between the Ugandan government of President Yoweri Museveni and the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) of Joseph Kony erupted in 1987, it still poses a deadly threat to Ugandan citizens and a major destabilising factor in the Great Lakes Region as a whole. The fact that the LRA leadership was the group of individuals against whom the ICC issued its very first warrants of arrest on 8 July and 27 September 2005 testifies to the urgency and brutality of this largely forgotten war. Due to continued fighting and internal strife, two of these five wanted LRA officials have been killed; this means that the Court will focus on prosecuting the remaining three, i.e. LRA commander Joseph Kony, senior leader Okot Odhiambo and LRA brigade commander Dominic Ongwen. An official ICC press release about the original warrant can be found at: http://www.icc-cpi.int/press/pressreleases/114.html

Organisation
The ICC will comprise several components which will operate during the different stages of the trial. Prosecutors carefully build their case against the accused, while the Defence Counsels (advocates) get a chance to defend their client(s). In order to fully exercise its authority in the field of international criminal law, the Court will adhere to the rules and regulations outlined in the Rome Statute of 2002. Its capabilities include the hearing of witnesses and scrutiny of all the evidence presented by both parties. Ultimately, the judges of the judiciary are responsible for the formulation and presentation of the Court’s verdict, which is produced only after serious – and often lengthy - deliberations.

Objectives
Foremost, the ICC strives to serve justice as best as possible. In addition, the Court relishes any opportunity to produce interesting debate about ethical and legal principles in the context of issues dealing with human rights, conflict resolution, international law and criminal prosecution. It is important to stress the fact that the ICJ/ICC is not a closed world only accessible to those with excellent judicial skills, but that it is also open to beginning delegates with good motivation and a keen interest in the matter at hand. Often, we find these students excitedly returning to the Court in higher positions in subsequent years

As this year’s ICC Coordinator, I would like to invite your legally interested and motivated students for a position in the International Criminal Court.

Best regards,
LEMUN 2008

Nick J. T. Mulder
International Criminal Court Coordinator