United Nations Legal Counsel visits Banjul (The Gambia), Dakar(Senegal) and Paris (France)
 

15-18 October 2018

From 15 to 18 October 2018, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Serpa Soares, visited Banjul to participate in the official launch ceremony of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission for The Gambia; Dakar to deliver a lecture on international criminal justice; and Paris to participate in a colloquium on the role of the national judiciary in investigating and prosecuting international crimes.

Banjul, Republic of The Gambia, 15 October 2018

At the invitation of the Honourable Attorney General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mr. Abubacarr Marie Tambadou, the United Nations Legal Counsel, Mr. Miguel de Serpa Soares, participated in the official launch of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission (TRRC) for the Republic of the Gambia on 15 October 2018. After a preparatory phase, national consultations and the identification of its Commissioners, the TRRC will now begin its mandated activities. The TRRC was established to consider the crimes committed during the 24 years long presidency of Yahya Jammeh and facilitate the healing and reconciliation of the people of The Gambia. During the ceremony, which was presided over by the President of the Republic of The Gambia, H.E. Mr. Adama Barrow, the Commissioners were sworn in. The Chairperson of the TRRC is Mr. Lamin Sise, who previously - among many other things – served as a member of the staff of the Office of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat.

Dakar, Senegal, 16 October 2018

On 16 October 2018, Mr. Serpa Soares delivered a lecture on the foundations and latest developments regarding international criminal justice in Dakar, Senegal. This lecture was part of a course on international humanitarian law for professional humanitarians in Central and Western Africa. It was organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) under the responsibility of the Head of the Regional ICRC Delegation in Dakar, Mr. Christoph Luedi. The Legal Counsel delivered a lecture at this course because of his desire to personally contribute to a better understanding and further dissemination of international law, in particular in Africa, and particularly at a time where respect for international humanitarian law is not self-evident in too many places.

Paris, France, 18 October 2018

Some six years after its establishment within the French judiciary, the “Pôle crimes contre l’humanité, crimes et délits de guerre” took stock of its activities so far with the framework of a weeklong seminar to which it invited national and international partners. On 18 October 2018, Mr. Serpa Soares participated in a panel which considered the question which role the national judiciaries can play in the investigation, prosecution and punishment of international crimes. In his opening statement, citing many examples from recent practice, Mr. Serpa Soares concluded that the national judiciary can and should play an important role.