Arrival of Deputy Prosecutor Brings ICC Closer to First Case
Serge Brammertz, Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations, Takes Office in The Hague
(New York, November 6, 2003) - With the arrival of Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations at the International Criminal
Court (ICC) in The Hague, the first permanent global criminal court moves another step closer to being fully
operational. Serge Brammertz, 41, was sworn in this Monday, November 3, to serve a six year term leading the
investigative work of the court's Office of the Prosecutor.
"The NGO Coalition for the International Criminal Court welcomes the appointment of Mr. Brammertz as part of the steady
progress in the establishment of the ICC," said William Pace, the Coalition's convenor. "The selection of Mr. Brammertz,
who has significant experience in transnational cooperation in the prosecution of crimes, greatly reinforces the ability
of the ICC to conduct international investigations and to strengthen the capacity of national courts to try the most
serious international crimes," he said.
With fourteen years of prosecutorial experience, Mr. Brammertz previously held the top prosecutorial office in Belgium
where he oversaw the coordination of national and international investigations of organized crime, terrorism and
violations of international humanitarian law. His focus on cross-border cooperation between prosecutors and police
forces has led him to develop a familiarity and rapport with prosecutors around the world, including those within U.S.
law enforcement agencies. In addition to fluency in the two working languages of the court - English and French -
Brammertz speaks German and Dutch, and has a working knowledge of Spanish.
Nominated by the ICC's chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo of Argentina, Mr. Brammertz was then elected this September
by the 92 nations to have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. Mr. Moreno Ocampo first announced in July that his
office would "follow closely" the situation in the Ituri region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The installation of
Mr. Brammertz further prepares the ICC to initiate its first cases.