Effective
Public Outreach for the International Criminal Court
January 2004
An important test for the new International Criminal Court is how it
will be perceived in the eyes of the communities around the world. As
the different organs of the ICC develop their plan for external communications,
they need to consider different strategies for several distinct target
audiences.
To a general audience:
At the broadest level, the Court will want to reach as wide an audience
as possible in order to disseminate general information about the Court,
its purpose and its actions to the media and any other interested persons.
Such awareness-raising and information can be achieved through means such
as a web site, brochures and other explanatory materials and press releases.
To countries in which the Court is operating and the surrounding region:
Special information strategies will need to be directed at countries in
which the Court is operating and the surrounding region. The Court will
need to ensure resources are available in languages used in countries
where the Court is operating, and are widely accessible throughout the
region.
To communities directly affected by crimes that are the subject of cases
before the Court:
Specific public outreach strategies should be developed to reach communities
directly affected by crimes that are the subject of cases before the Court.
Whether the ICC will be seen as a legitimate and credible institution
will largely depend on its ability to inform and engage about its work
with the broader populations in the countries where it takes up cases.
An Outreach Program that will effectively explain what the ICC is and
does to the populations it directly concerns, and on whose behalf it acts,
is a prerequisite for the Court to be viewed as valid and credible.
See
Human Rights First's briefing paper and recommendations for Effective
Public Outreach at the ICC
To victims:
The Registry and the Office of the Prosecutor have specific duties under
the Rome Statute and the Rules of Procedure and Evidence to notify victims
of crimes before the Court at various stages of the proceedings.
See Human Rights First's chart on
The Role of the Victim in
ICC Proceeding
Relevant Links
ICTY
Outreach Program
ICTR:
A Handbook for Journalists
ICTR
Newsletter
Documents
related to the Second year budget (2004) of the ICC
ICC website
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