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Welcome to the twelfth issue of the quarterly newsletter from
Integrity Initiatives International (III, pronounced "triple I") concerning global efforts to strengthen the enforcement of criminal laws to punish and deter corrupt leaders and end impunity for grand corruption.
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The III team is on the road for:
Stay tuned for updates in our next newsletter. Read on to learn more about the:
- UK Labour Party's support for the IACC and its broader anti-corruption plans;
- IACC at the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya;
- new officers and members of the III Board;
- III Youth Leaders Network;
- and other events and publications.
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UK LABOUR PARTY BACKS CREATION OF AN
INTERNATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION COURT (IACC)
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In May, just before the general election was called in the United Kingdom to be held on July 4, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP (Labour), Shadow Foreign Secretary, outlined the Labour Party's plans to combat transnational kleptocracy in his keynote address at the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) in London.
He said Labour will use British diplomatic resources "to push for the creation of an International Anti-Corruption Court to prosecute the most egregious acts of international corruption."
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The IACC also received cross-partisan support at the IPPR conference from John Penrose MP (Conservative), former UK Prime Minister’s Anti-Corruption Champion, who noted that sanctions are a useful tool, but they are inherently political in nature, and that an IACC is also needed to provide a nonpolitical rule of law response to international corruption.
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LAUNCH OF THE IACC IMPACT COALITION
AT THE UN CIVIL SOCIETY CONFERENCE IN NAIROBI
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In May, the IACC was featured at the UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. In preparation for the UN Summit of the Future in September, the conference provided a platform to launch ImPACT Coalitions around specific proposals to address major global challenges, including the IACC.
At the IACC ImPACT Coalition session, former Prime Minister of Mali Moussa Mara (pictured above) called on governments and civil society to come together to create an IACC that can hold corrupt officials, bribe payers, and money launderers accountable.
Under the leadership of the Africa Subcommittee of the IACC Campaign, a packed room of 40 representatives of civil society, governments, and international organizations came together to discuss the IACC idea and how to create it.
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Sheila Masinde, Executive Director of Transparency International Kenya and a member of the IACC Africa Subcommittee, represented the IACC ImPACT Coalition at the closing plenary of the conference. Speaking to over 2,000 delegates, she highlighted that corruption is not mentioned in the UN Pact for the Future that will be the centerpiece of the UN Summit of the Future and called on governments to create an IACC that can enhance accountability for crimes of grand corruption. You can watch her remarks here.
The IACC was also discussed at sessions on Earth Governance and Just Institutions, helping to greatly expand the diverse range of civil society organizations that are now participating in the IACC campaign.
The conference also galvanized a local core of civil society in Nairobi that will advocate for the Kenyan government to back the IACC. Among them is Demas Kiprono, the Acting Executive Director of the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists, who wrote about the need for an IACC in the Standard, a leading Kenyan paper, here.
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NEW III BOARD OFFICER APPOINTMENTS
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Vice-Chair
Dr. Charles Adeogun-Phillips is the former lead International Prosecutor and Head of Special Investigations at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; former Special Prosecutor, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Partner at Charles Anthony (Lawyers) LLP in Lagos; and Barrister at Guernica 37 Chambers in London and The Hague.
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Secretary
Mary Page is the former Director for Human Rights at the MacArthur Foundation, where she oversaw grant-making on international human rights advocacy, international justice, and human rights law and culture in Russia, Nigeria, and Mexico. She joined the Foundation initially with the Program on Peace and International Cooperation, becoming Associate Director for US Policy in 1997.
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III WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS
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Evan Mawarire is a Zimbabwean clergyman who founded #ThisFlag Citizen’s Movement to challenge corruption, injustice, and poverty in Zimbabwe. The movement empowers citizens to hold government to account. Through viral videos, the movement has organized multiple successful non-violent protests in response to unjust government policy. Evan was imprisoned in 2016, 2017, and 2019 for charges of treason, facing 80 years in prison.
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Chidi Anselm Odinkalu is a Nigerian human rights activist, lawyer, professor, and writer. He is
currently Professor of Practice in International Human Rights Law at the Fletcher School and
chairs the Truth, Justice, and Peace Commission, a transitional justice initiative established to
address the crises of violence and agitation in the states of south-east Nigeria.
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Rebecca Shoot is an international lawyer and democracy and governance practitioner with more than 15 years of experience in the non-governmental, inter-governmental, and private sectors supporting human rights, democratic processes, and the rule of law on five continents. She is the Executive Director of Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS).
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Maria Wilson is a Justice of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago. Before this position, she was a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago. She was a Trial Lawyer at the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands and at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Tanzania.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUTGOING
III VICE CHAIR CLAUDIA ESCOBAR
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Congratulations to Dr. Claudia Escobar, former Vice-Chair of III, on her appointment as the Guatemalan Ambassador to the Organization of American States (OAS)!
The Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Dr. Escobar's appointment on June 5. III wishes her the best as she continues to promote the rule of law, anti-corruption, judicial integrity, and the defense of democracy in her new role.
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On June 3, the Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) hosted an eye-opening knowledge-sharing session at their central Jakarta offices. The workshop, facilitated by Prosper Maguchu, assistant professor of law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, drew 50 officers from various KPK departments, eager to deepen their understanding of the International Anti-Corruption Court proposal.
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Indonesia has intensified its battle against corruption with the recent establishment of specialized domestic courts. The introduction of the IACC concept was met with enthusiasm, aligning with the country's robust efforts to fortify its anti-corruption framework. This workshop not only highlighted the strides Indonesia is making but also underscored the global collaboration necessary to tackle corruption effectively.
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On May 22, the Botswana Centre for Public Integrity (BCPI) and III hosted an event on "Addressing the Accountability Gap: From National Mechanisms to the Proposed International Anti-Corruption Court". Featured speakers included:
- Pusetso Morapedi (BCPI)
- Olanrewaju Suraju (HEDA Resource Centre)
- Justice Richard Goldstone (Vice-Chair of III)
- Ketakandriana Rafitoson (TI Initiative Madagascar)
Watch the panel here.
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On April 24, Fordham International Law Association, Leitner Center for International Law and Justice, and III hosted a discussion on 'Addressing the Accountability Gap: From National Mechanisms to the Proposed International Anti-Corruption Court.' Speakers include:
- Evan Mawarire, Director, Frontlines of Freedom, Renew Democracy Initiative
- Casey Michel, Director, Combatting Kleptocracy Program, Human Rights Foundation
- El Cid Butuyan, former Philippine Antitrust Commissioner
- Maria Wilson, Justice of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago
- Allan Rock, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
- Mark Wolf, Senior U.S. District Court Judge and Chair of III
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VOICES FROM III'S YOUTH LEADERS NETWORK
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by Umedjon Majidi - Anti-Corruption and Governance Expert based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan
Through my professional and academic endeavors, I contribute to the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance in Central Asia. I recently served as a National Expert on Organised Crime and Corruption with the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), where I provided critical insights and strategic advice on combating organized crime and enhancing anti-corruption measures.
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I am currently a Fundraising Analyst at Zerkalo Analytics Group, a local non-profit think tank. In my role, I manage and expand the organization's grants portfolio, securing funding for research and initiatives that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Tajikistan.
I previously conducted research on organized crime and corruption at Central Asian borders with the University of Roehampton, UK, and examined China's influence in Central Asia with the Georgian think tank, Civic Idea.
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The IACC Youth Talk Series creates conversations between youth audiences and leaders in anti-corruption and international justice. The forum is dedicated to empowering global youth voices in the campaign for an IACC.
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In the first episode of the IACC Youth Talk Series, the panelists introduced the IACC proposal, the ongoing IACC draft treaty process, and plans for the campaign to create it.
Listen to the episode here.
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In the second episode of the IACC Youth Talk Series, the panelists assessed the existing international court landscape, analyzing lessons learned from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), and more.
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In the third episode of the IACC Youth Talk Series, experts working on the IACC draft treaty delved into topics they are working on, including international cooperation, internal court management, the role of judges, asset recovery and return, and the potential jurisdiction of the court.
Watch the episode here.
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In the fourth episode of the IACC Youth Talk Series, youth leaders shared their experiences, highlight successes, challenges, and valuable lessons in the fight against corruption. They explored innovative anti-corruption strategies, focusing on youth empowerment, litigation, technology, democracy, and media-civil society collaboration.
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The concept of an international anti-corruption court
Counsel Magazine, June 10, 2024
By Charles Adeogun-Phillips
Integrity Initiatives International (III) Europe launches in The Hague as plans for an International Anti-Corruption Court gather pace
Stories of Purpose, June 4, 2024
by The City of The Hague
Labour to outline clampdown on UK 'dirty money'
Financial Times, May 20, 2024
By Lucy Fisher
Symposium on IFFs: An International Anti-Corruption Court: A Win Against IFFs, A Win for Africa
AfronomicsLaw, May 16, 2024
By Robert J. Currie
International Anti-Corruption Court will both deter and discombobulate the kleptocrats
Daily Maverick, May 16, 2024
By Paul Hoffman
Establish an international court to boost fight against grand corruption
The Standard, May 9, 2024
By Demas Kiprono
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