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Policy on Slavery Crimes: Legal Action Worldwide Submission to the Office of The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

Accountability & Rule of Law - Global - Lebanon - Advocacy

Policy on Slavery Crimes: Legal Action Worldwide Submission to the Office of The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court

 

Geneva, 17 July 2024: On World Day for International Justice, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) publishes its comment to the International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor’s Policy on Slavery Crimes.

This brief reflects LAW’s longstanding commitment to supporting survivors of slavery crimes worldwide, including initiatives such as our ongoing efforts in Lebanon and investigations in Syria, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Ethiopia.

The submission outlines three critical areas for enhancing the OTP’s approach: first, advocating for a survivor-centered and trauma-informed approach; second, proposing amendments to the Rome Statute to explicitly address slave trade and leveraging existing legal frameworks for prosecuting such crimes; and third, promoting complementarity with domestic jurisdictions to strengthen global efforts against slavery crimes.

Each recommendation is informed by LAW’s extensive field experience and aims to contribute to more effective international legal responses to slavery crimes. The conclusion offers specific recommendations to support the OTP’s Policy on Slavery Crimes, reflecting LAW’s commitment to justice and the rights of survivors.

The OTP’s evolving approach must include explicit acknowledgment of intersecting identities that affect vulnerability to slavery, ensuring protection and accommodation for all survivors throughout legal proceedings. LAW recommends active engagement of survivors in investigative and trial processes. Law’s recommendations ultimately aim to enhance the Prosecutor’s ability to combat slavery crimes comprehensively and effectively, acknowledging the ongoing global prevalence of slavery.

Read LAW’s Policy Brief “Policy on Slavery Crimes: Legal Action Worldwide Submission to the Office of The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court” for more information.