Statement By Special Court President Justice Shirleen Avis Fisher On the Detention Of ICC Staff In Libya
Editor’s Note:
It is critical that the recent media circus surrounding the detention of ICC staff not detract in any way from the immediacy of the plight of Saif Gaddafi. If anything, these events reveal how vulnerable Saif is and how much he and all of Libya’s political prisoners need our support. Please join in demanding Saif’s immediate and unconditional release.
We Demand Saif Al Islam Gaddafi’s Immediate Release
Alexandra Valiente
Libya 360°
Viva Libya!
Special Court for Sierra Leone
DOCUMENT
Freetown — I am deeply concerned about the detention by the Libyan government of four ICC staff while on mission in Libya. Intimidation of staff members of the institutions of the international criminal justice system while on official duty strikes at the heart of that system.
The success of the Special Court for Sierra Leone owes much to the co-operation of the international community in respecting the Court’s mandate, and accommodating the necessary privileges of the Court’s personnel and the lawyers who practice before it.
The privileges and immunities of the detained ICC staff are essential to the performance of their mandated functions, as ordered by the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber on 27 April 2012, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 1970. They must be permitted to exercise these functions without fear, harassment or intimidation.
I therefore join the Presidents of the ICC and the ICTY in calling for the immediate release of the ICC staff members.
