On 17 September 2022, the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights celebrated the 50th Anniversary of its foundation at the Institute’s headquarters in Siracusa, Italy.
The Celebration Day was centered around an Official Ceremony in the morning, followed in the afternoon by an International Conference on “Peace, Security and Justice in Europe and the Mediterranean – How can Europe Reinforce the Global Fight against Impunity?”
High-level officials of national and international institutions including the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, as well as renowned international academics and jurists who have contributed to the development of the Institute over the years, attended the event.
The Institute celebrated its anniversary at a time when fighting impunity of international crimes – its core mission since 1972 – has become a pressing issue within Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Throughout its 50 years of activities, the Institute has
- conducted programs in cooperation with 56 intergovernmental organizations, 67 non-governmental organizations and72 civil society organizations worldwide
- hosted over 62,000 jurists from 172 countries for conferences, meetings of experts, training seminars and educational programs.
During his introductory speech, President Jean-Francois Thony, said: “Fifty is the age at which one mixes the fruits of experience and entrepreneurial energy, wisdom and the desire for new challenges, a relentless sense of optimism for the future while drawing strength from the past.”.
For his part, ICC President, Judge Piotr Hofma?ski, stated: “The Institute is helping to spread the principles of justice where they are most needed – that is, everywhere where our fellow humans live. Justice belongs to everybody, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity.”
