Canadian elected first president of
International Criminal Court
Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham has welcomed the election of Philippe Kirsch as President of the newly established International Criminal Court (ICC). He was unanimously elected by the judges of the Court at their first meeting in The Hague, following their inauguration.
"This
event is a great honour for Canada," said Minister Graham.
"Canada has had a leading role in shaping this critically important
international institution from its inception to the present. This
represents an outstanding success in the global effort to build a
rules-based multilateral system for ensuring global security. I extend my
warmest congratulations to Philippe Kirsch on being elected the first
president of this international court. I am delighted that his peers have
recognized the outstanding qualifications that led me to name him as
Canada's candidate for the Court."
The
18 judges of the Court, including Mr. Kirsch, were elected by the ICC
Assembly of States Parties in February 2003. In accordance with the ICC
Statute, the judges are required to elect a president and two
vice-presidents, who are responsible for the administration of the Court.
Mr.
Kirsch has been a leading figure in the establishment of the ICC. He
chaired the negotiations at the 1998 Rome Diplomatic Conference, which
produced the ICC Statute, and also chaired the 1999-2002 Preparatory
Commission, which developed important subsidiary instruments, such as the
Rules of Procedure and Evidence. He is a recognized expert in
international humanitarian and criminal law and has been active in
promoting ratification of the ICC Statute.
Mr.
Kirsch will serve as a judge of the ICC for six years and as President for
three years, which may be renewed. The Vice-Presidents are Akua Kuenyehia
of Ghana and Elizabeth Odio Benito of Costa Rica.