International Bar Association Calls For International Criminal Court To Investigate And Try Robert Mugabe I
nternational Bar Association (London)
PRESS RELEASE
March 6, 2003
Posted to the web March 6, 2003
London

The International Bar Association (IBA) today called for the trial of Robert Mugabe for serious violations of international humanitarian law. The IBA addressed its call to all State Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC), each of whom has the authority to request that prosecution be initiated. The IBA urged that the first act of the ICC's Prosecutor should be directed at the alleged atrocities committed by Zimbabwe's President and his regime.

'No single act would more accurately reflect the purpose and importance of the ICC than to have Mr Mugabe as the first individual tried by the new Court', said Mark Ellis, the IBA's Executive Director. 'Fortunately for the international community and for those who have suffered under Mr Mugabe's policies, the existence of the ICC means that if found guilty he will not escape being held accountable for his actions.' Mr Ellis states that there is already sufficient evidence to justify the investigation of allegations that Mr Mugabe has committed and continues to commit crimes against humanity. These are defined as acts that are part of a widespread or systematic attack against any civilian population, including murder, torture, imprisonment or other inhumane acts of a similar nature intentionally causing great suffering.

Evidence and reports are emerging almost daily in support of these claims from Zimbabwe, where threats, beatings, and torture appear to be systematically directed at those groups who stand outside, or criticise the ruling Zanu-PF party. Mr Mugabe's rhetoric increasingly defines those who do not actively support him as traitors, and many of the actions of the police and the militia appear to be motivated by such rhetoric. In the current atmosphere, the independence of the rule of law has been consistently undermined, as frequently highlighted by the IBA's Human Rights Institute.

The ICC came into existence on 1 July 2002 as the first permanent court ever established to investigate and try individuals for the most serious violations of international humanitarian law, including crimes against humanity. The ICC is currently recruiting its first Prosecutor, hence the timing of the IBA's call.

About the International Bar Association In its role as a dual membership organisation, comprising 16,000 individual lawyers and 180 Bar Associations and Law Societies, the International Bar Association (IBA) influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession.

Its Member Organisations cover all continents and include the American Bar Association, the German Federal Bar, the Japan Federation of Bar Associations, the Mexican Bar Association and the Law Society of Zimbabwe.

Grouped into three Sections - Business Law, Legal Practice, and Energy & Natural Resources Law - more than 60 specialist Committees provide members with access to leading experts and up-to-date information as well as top-level professional development and network-building opportunities through high-quality publications and world-class Conferences. The IBA's Human Rights Institute works across the Association, helping to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just rule of law, and to preserve the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession worldwide.