According to ICC Public Affairs Unit, the judge passed on Monday after a ‘serious illness that had led to him quit the ICC/FILE
According to the ICC Public Affairs Unit, the judge passed on Monday after a serious illness that had led him quit the ICC.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that former International Criminal Court Judge Hans-Peter Kaul passed away on 21 July 2014 after a period of serious illness,” the unit said.
ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song described Kaul as a dedicated judge who played a key role in development of the Rome Statute which led to the establishment of the ICC.
“Judge Kaul’s death is an enormous loss for the ICC. He served as a role model, dedicating his career to reshaping international justice. Judge Kaul was a driving force in the creation of the Rome Statute, in the establishment of the ICC, and in many of the decisions rendered in the situations and cases before the court in its history thus far,” he said.
According to Sang-Hyun, Kaul was an admirable colleague and had a character worth associating with in the society.
“We will long remember him with respect and admiration on a personal and professional level, for his relentless commitment and extensive contributions to international justice.”
Assembly of State Parties President Ambassador Tiina Intelmann also mourned the judge who she remembered for commitment in fighting for international justice.
“Kaul will be remembered for his multi-faceted and unrelenting support to the cause of international criminal justice; he was also indefatigable in advancing the support for the amendments to the Rome Statute on the crime of aggression”.
The German Judge was part of the bench of the Pre-Trial Chamber that confirmed charges against President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and journalist Joshua arap Sang but dropped charges against former Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey and former Police Commissioner Hussein Ali.
Kaul gave a dissenting opinion in the majority decision to confirm the charges against the four, saying the two cases did not warrant the intervention of the war crimes court.
The judge resigned on July 1, 2014 over health complications.
Judge Kaul, who was part of the German delegation that negotiated the Rome Statute and establishment of the ICC, joined the court 11 years ago.
Apart from Kenya, he was also among judges who made decisions in the situations in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Libya and Cote d’Ivoire.
A condolence book has been opened at the ICC’s main entrance in The Hague for people to register their condolences.
Messages of condolence can also be posted to the President of the Court Judge Sang-Hyun Song and by email to: PublicAffairs.Unit@icc-cpi.int.
About The Author
