ICC Closer to First Case - Dep. Prosecutor arrives

Arrival of Deputy Prosecutor Brings ICC Closer to First Case

Serge Brammertz, Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations, Takes Office in The Hague

(New York, November 6, 2003) - With the arrival of Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, the first permanent global criminal court moves another step closer to being fully operational. Serge Brammertz, 41, was sworn in this Monday, November 3, to serve a six year term leading the investigative work of the court's Office of the Prosecutor.

"The NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court welcomes the appointment of Mr. Brammertz as part of the steady progress in the establishment of the ICC," said William Pace, the Coalition's convenor. "The selection of Mr. Brammertz, who has significant experience in transnational cooperation in the prosecution of crimes, greatly reinforces the ability of the ICC to conduct international investigations and to strengthen the capacity of national courts to try the most serious international crimes," he said.

With fourteen years of prosecutorial experience, Mr. Brammertz previously held the top prosecutorial office in Belgium where he oversaw the coordination of national and international investigations of organized crime, terrorism and violations of international humanitarian law. His focus on cross-border cooperation between prosecutors and police forces has led him to develop a familiarity and rapport with prosecutors around the world, including those within U.S. law enforcement agencies. In addition to fluency in the two working languages of the court - English and French - Brammertz speaks German and Dutch, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.

Nominated by the ICC's chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo of Argentina, Mr. Brammertz was then elected this September by the 92 nations to have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. Mr. Moreno Ocampo first announced in July that his office would "follow closely" the situation in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The installation of Mr. Brammertz further prepares the ICC to initiate its first cases.

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