ICC Prosecutor: Fatou Bensouda's solemn undertaking, 15 June 2012

On 15 June 2012, Fatou Bensouda made her solemn undertaking and formally took office as the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) during a ceremony held at the seat of the Court in The Hague. Ms Bensouda (the Gambia) was elected at the latest session of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute (ASP) in December 2011 for a nine-year term.

In accordance with article 45 of the Rome Statute, founding treaty of the ICC, the ceremony was held in open court. The ceremony was presided over by ICC President Sang-Hyun Song. Referring to Ms Bensouda's wealth of prosecutorial experience and staunch international support, ICC President Song stated, "I am confident that her strong independent voice, legal expertise and genuine concern for human rights issues will contribute greatly to the continued fight against impunity".

The ASP President, H.E. Tiina Intelmann, then made a report on the election of the Prosecutor and administrated the solemn undertaking. Taking her oath, Ms Bensouda stated: "I solemnly undertake that I will perform my duties and exercise my powers as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court honourably, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously, and that I will respect the confidentiality of investigations and prosecutions".

Ms Bensouda then signed her oath before the ICC Registrar, Ms Silvana Arbia, and made her first speech as the ICC Prosecutor.
For more information: http://www.icc-cpi.int

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