Ellis, Mark S --- "The contribution of non-governmental organizations to the creation of international criminal tribunals" [2011] ELECD 99; in Brown, S. Bartram (ed), "Research Handbook on International Criminal Law" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2011)

Book Title: Research Handbook on International Criminal Law

Editor(s): Brown, S. Bartram

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781847202789

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: The contribution of non-governmental organizations to the creation of international criminal tribunals

Author(s): Ellis, Mark S

Number of pages: 35

Extract:

7 The contribution of non-governmental organizations
to the creation of international criminal tribunals
Mark S. Ellis



INTRODUCTION

The establishment of international criminal tribunals marked a revolutionary change in the
pursuit of international criminal justice. The success of these tribunals, however, would not
have occurred without the support of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). NGOs have
long played a multidimensional and indispensable role in advocating that the individuals
responsible for gross violations of international law be brought to justice. These organizations
have documented, lobbied, advised, coordinated, criticised, monitored and influenced public
opinion in support of war crimes tribunals. They have provided resources and expertise to less
developed states, and political support for developed states pursuing these accountability
mechanisms. In so doing, NGOs have contributed to the overall legitimacy of the tribunals by
ensuring that transparency and fair standards are employed in trials and by making certain
that affected communities feel a sense of partnership with international justice. As one legal
expert has stated:

Over the past fifteen years, every tribunal has needed the support of NGOs to push governments to
cooperate on the apprehension and transfer of indicted persons, provide intelligence and other infor-
mation necessary to criminal investigations and trials, and help secure financial resources. Without
the involvement of supportive governments and NGOs, many of these tribunals would have
languished without defendants to try or key evidence to present.1

Non-governmental organizations have also ensured that tribunals remain responsible not
only to the principle of international justice but to ...