The New System of International Justice in the Wake of the Criminal Court

07 August 2007

Luis Moreno-Ocampo

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the first permanent judicial body with jurisdiction over genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC has recently embarked on its first prosecution: the trial of Thomas Lubanga Dyilo for crimes allegedly committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Arrest warrants have been issued for individuals in relation to the situation in Darfur, Sudan, and for crimes committed in Uganda. An investigation into crimes allegedly committed in the Central African Republic has also commenced. As the ICC has become operational, further countries have solidified their support for the Court and recognised its role in the promotion of global peace and security and the rule of law.

In this public lecture, the ICC’s first prosecutor, Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo, addresses the new system of international criminal justice being spearheaded by the Court.

Broad Topics: Law

Sub-topics: Law, Justice & Law Enforcement, Policy & Political Science

Areas: ANU College of Law

On 21 April 2003, the Assembly of States Parties elected Mr. Luis Moreno-Ocampo of Argentina as first Prosecutor of the ICC. Mr. Moreno-Ocampo has a distinguished career as prosecutor, trial attorney, university lecturer and legal strategist on issues ranging from criminal justice to human rights law, corruption control and journalists’ protection. Mr Moreno-Ocampo has been involved in several high profile cases of international criminal justice, including the extradition of former Nazi officer Erich Priebke to Italy, the trial of Chilean secret police for the murder of General Carlos Prats and the case against military commanders accused of malpractice during the Malvinas/ Falklands war. A member of the global board of Transparency International, Mr Moreno-Ocampo has also been a visiting professor at both Stanford University and Harvard University. He has resigned from all of these institutions in order to remain impartial during his tenure as Prosecutor of the Court.