Creation of International Bar Association for ICC

The Commission has decided, in the context of its Human Rights and Democracy programme to support to the tune of €150 000 (65.7% of total cost) the creation of an International Bar Association for the International Criminal Court. The other co-sponsors are the Governments of Canada and Quebec and the Bar of Germany.

The project aims to support the setting up of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It will do so by organising a conference in Montreal from 13-15 June 2002 to discuss a draft constitution for an International Bar Association for the ICC. The conference is co-organised by Bar Associations from Europe, Asia and Africa, particularly those countries which have ratified the Rome Treaty establishing the ICC. The Constitution will draw up rules of conduct for advocates representing defendants before the ICC, and the criteria for recognising competence and other aspects of professional rights and duties. This constitution will be submitted for the approval of the States Assembly, meeting in September, which will approve the procedural rules for the operation of the ICC, including those relating to the recognition and conduct of lawyers. Some 300 participants are expected to attend from around the world. The EC finance will mainly cover the costs of participants from developing countries.

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• EU Presidency Statement - The ICC (9/9/2002)