On 9 June 2023, the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "the Court"), together with The Hague Project Peace and Justice, hosted online the fifth Asia Pacific Forum of The Hague on the theme "Making Impact in Creating Access to Justice at the Local, National and International level". The webinar featured the President of the Court, Judge Piotr Hofmański, ICC Judges Chang-ho Chung and Tomoko Akane, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan and other ICC representatives from the Asia-Pacific Region to promote awareness of the Court in the Asia Pacific region.
The event facilitated a dialogue on enhancing the contribution of international justice for the Asia-Pacific region as well as encouraging students and young professionals from the region to consider a career in the field of international justice. Out of the 123 States Parties to the Rome Statute, 19 are Asia-Pacific States.
Opening the event, the President of the Court Judge Piotr Hofmański stated: : "The ICC belongs to the people and the countries in Asia and the Pacific just as much as it belongs to any other part of the world. But the system is dependent on the sovereign will of nations to join the system by ratifying the Rome Statute."
In her closing remarks, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stated: In her closing remarks, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stated: "The Asia-Pacific region, while underrepresented in the Rome Statute system, is in many ways a global leader in placing the rule of law at the forefront of international advocacy and in our common work to provide protection to those who need it most. The Office of the Prosecutor is increasingly reaching out to various parts of the world, including the Asia-Pacific region, through missions, enhanced field presence and innovative partnership to strengthen exchange."
The first session of the Forum was reserved for a high-level dialogue with the ICC Judges Chang-ho Chung and Tomoko Akane on the theme "Creating Access to Justice in the Asia-Pacific through the lens of the Rome Statute system". ICC Judge Chang-ho Chung spoke on "Criminal Justice at National Courts, UN Special Tribunals and the ICC" and highlighted that " it is important to understand clearly the relationship between national courts, UN Special Tribunals and the International Criminal Court for the implementation of criminal justice of international crimes." ICC Judge Tomoko Akane said: "I would like to invite the States to commit themselves to the Rome Statute system and to promote the rule of law hand in hand with the ICC at the domestic, regional and international level".
In the second session of the Forum, ICC staff members from the Asia-Pacific region addressed the topic of "Working in International Justice and making an impact in Access to Justice". Staff members from each organ shared their individual career perspectives and experiences with participants. In the third session, the ICC Human Resource Section provided information on career opportunities to work for international justice.
The Asia Pacific Forum of The Hague forms part of a broader effort to enhance global understanding and support for the Rome Statute and the Court and to promote cooperation at the regional level. These include the organization of or participation in high-level regional cooperation seminars and symposiums, technical events and workshops aimed at Government leaders and officials, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary, academics and civil society representatives. The ICC thanks the European Union for the financial support of this event.
Audio-visual recording of the session
