The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated the process to elect the court's fourth prosecutor. This process follows consultations with States Parties and other stakeholders. According to the Assembly, the goal is to attract the most qualified candidates for this position within the international jurisdiction. The candidatures will be open from October 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027, and the election is scheduled for December 2027.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties, Päivi Kaukoranta, emphasized that a transparent and structured selection process is crucial to identify and elect a highly qualified prosecutor. The process will allow interested individuals to submit their candidatures directly to the Secretariat of the Assembly of States Parties. States Parties, either individually or in groups, can also propose candidates. The dossiers should be sent to [email protected] during the specified period.
The Assembly will publish the candidatures of qualified individuals on its website in February 2027. These candidatures will then be examined by the Advisory Committee on the Selection of Judges, which will act as an advisory committee for the election of the prosecutor. The process will also include a due diligence procedure conducted by the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism. A confidential communication channel will be established after the publication of the candidatures to allow for the submission of allegations of professional misconduct regarding the candidates.
The election of the fourth ICC prosecutor is scheduled to take place in December 2027, although this deadline may be revised if circumstances or the progress of the procedure require it. The detailed modalities of the process, including the vacancy notice, selection steps, and due diligence arrangements, are available on the Assembly's website. The ICC, created by the Rome Statute, is a permanent jurisdiction responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of the most serious crimes, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
The Assembly of States Parties is the ICC's primary governing body, composed of representatives of States that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. It exercises administrative and legislative responsibilities, as well as functions related to the election of the court's principal officials. The Assembly's responsibilities include ensuring the effective functioning of the ICC and promoting its independence and impartiality.
The ICC prosecutor plays a critical role in investigating and prosecuting crimes within the court's jurisdiction. The prosecutor is responsible for conducting investigations, preparing cases, and presenting them to the ICC's judges. The prosecutor must be a person of high moral character, with a strong background in law and experience in the field of international justice.
The election process for the ICC prosecutor is a significant event, as it will determine who will lead the court's investigative and prosecutorial efforts for the next term. The Assembly of States Parties aims to elect a highly qualified prosecutor who can effectively carry out the responsibilities of the office and contribute to the ICC's mission to end impunity for international crimes.
Key points
- The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court has launched the election process for the court's fourth prosecutor, with candidatures open from October 31, 2026, to January 31, 2027.
