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Dear #ICC States Parties, as expressed to you ad nauseam for over a year, legal professionals have serious harassment claims against prosecutor candidates. I asked women how the lack of a reporting mechanism impacts them and will publish their brave & moving words next week.
This week two women decided to speak anonymously, and what they shared gave me chills and tears. Since the #ICC prosecutor election is not over yet, it is important to amplify their voices now so everyone can see what is really at stake. Here are some of their words:
"Discovering that this person was being considered for the position of #ICC prosecutor was re-traumatizing. Coming forward to make the complaint against him was such a difficult experience. After making the complaint, I faced retaliation from the individual..."
"and I eventually left my job as a result... Seeing that person now up for the position of prosecutor is deeply distressing. How many times should I, as a victim of harassment, have to speak up to prevent this person from abusing his position of authority?"
"That this person is even being considered for the position of #ICC prosecutor undermines the credibility of the institution."
From another complainant: "I still have flashes of that evening that pop up into my mind from time to time, and I feel disgusted and dirty when that happens. That especially happens if someone grabs me a bit too strongly or approaches me too closely."
"Even when I found out that he was a candidate for the position of #ICC prosecutor and I knew I had to do something about it, I was not able to fully complete the process because in the end I was too afraid and ashamed to speak up publicly and because the conditions to report..."
...the mistreatment were not safe enough."
"Unless something is really done to change the reporting mechanisms, and not only during election periods, strong women will continue to hide their stories and sexual predators will continue to abuse their power and make more victims."
"Unless something is really done to change the reporting mechanisms, and not only during election periods, strong women will continue to hide their stories and sexual predators will continue to abuse their power and make more victims."
In the recent words of @marianacpena: "Failure to vet candidates helps perpetuate a system of impunity for misconduct, with serious reputational and financial risks for the court and states parties." #ICC #MeToo 
https://www.ijmonitor.org/2021/02/ier-blog-series-the-shocking-findings-on-bullying-and-harassment/
https://www.ijmonitor.org/2021/02/ier-blog-series-the-shocking-findings-on-bullying-and-harassment/
And @AngelaMudukuti: "This is about more than concerns over specific individuals; it is about establishing a practice that will ensure that all leaders of the #ICC are indeed of #highmoralcharacter." https://www.ijmonitor.org/2021/02/continued-concerns-about-the-icc-prosecutor-election-no-election-without-vetting/
#ICC States Parties, we stand ready to assist you in closing this alarming gap in the election process. @4GenderJustice @atlas_women @OSFJustice @hrw @IBAHagueOffice @ngos4justice @GlobalJusticeC @PGAction @Justice_Intl
