Knowledge-transfer, legal empowerment and capacity development

DSC — Jonas Gahr Støre, then Foreign Minister of Norway, with the CMN Director, Ilia Utmelidze, first ICC Review Conference, 2010.

CMN Senior Adviser Mark Harmon on mission for the Network.

Several International jurisdictions for the prosecution of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide have been established since 1993. Of these, only the International Criminal Court (ICC) is permanent. It can investigate and prosecute only when national jurisdictions are unable or unwilling to do so genuinely. Strengthening such national ability is the primary purpose of the Case Matrix Network (CMN), a department of the Centre for International Law Research and Policy (CILRAP). The cost-efficiency and quality of justice for atrocities are improved by empowering the national professionals involved. It is also important to develop further the capacity of civil society organizations to document professionally serious human rights violations that may amount to core international crimes.

The CMN provides services such as technical advice on war crimes prosecution strategy, organization of work, development of investigation and work plans, their implementation, and drafting of requisite legislation. CMN experts advise public criminal justice agencies, legal services and non-governmental organizations, on a confidential basis. They are active in many countries, civil law and common law, on five continents.