The ISS on the ICC and Africa / Palestine

Out of Africa? Palestine, Israel and the ICC   This event will be webcast live. To access the webcast visit the ISS homepage on 10 March 2015 from 10h15. The decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to examine the situation in Palestine could lead to investigations and prosecutions of those allegedly most responsible for international crimes committed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The ICC has been criticised for focusing only on Africa, and this decision shifts the court's focus beyond the continent. Important questions need to be asked about the process. Palestine's statehood is still being contested by Israel and other countries - what impact might this have on the ICC's work? The court's investigation could implicate both Israelis and Palestinians - what effects will this have on efforts to resolve the conflict? Meanwhile, Israel has reportedly been lobbying like-minded states to withdraw financial support to the ICC. Although this drive hasn't gained much traction, it could jeopardise efforts to seek justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This seminar will explore the practical, legal and political implications of the Palestinian referral. It will also consider the impact on African perceptions of the ICC in light of the strained relationship between the ICC and the African Union.   DATE: 10 March 2015 TIME: Registration at 10h00 Seminar from 10h30 - 13h00 VENUE: Conference room, ISS Pretoria, Block C, Brooklyn Court, 361 Veale Street,map   Chair: Ottilia Maunganidze, Researcher, Transnational Threats and International Crime division & Office of the Managing Director, ISS Pretoria Speakers: Max du Plessis, ISS Associate and Associate Professor, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Dire Tladi, Professor, University of Pretoria Kelly-Jo Bluen, Project Leader, Institute for Justice and Reconciliation   This seminar is made possible with funding from the governments of the Netherlands and Norway. The ISS is grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the governments of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the USA.