Judge Anthony T. Carmona (Trinidad and Tobago) has resigned from the International Criminal Court (ICC) effective 18 March 2013. The same day, he assumed office as the fifth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, elected by the Electoral College of the country’s Parliament. While resigning, President Carmona stated that he stands “ready, subject to all the protocols, to assist in advocating the universal jurisdiction of the ICC”.
The President of the Assembly of States Parties, H.E. Ms Tiina Intelmann, congratulated Judge Carmona on his election as President of Trinidad and Tobago, highlighted the important role Trinidad and Tobago has played in the creation of the Court and expressed her hope that, given his personal support for the Court, he would seek to ensure greater acceptance of the Rome Statute and the Court at the regional and sub-regional levels.
On behalf of the International Criminal Court, ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song extended his sincere congratulations to Judge Carmona on his election as President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. “I wish President Carmona the best of success in his new position and I look forward to cooperating with him in the context of the international community’s efforts to end impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes”, said President Song who also stressed that Trinidad and Tobago “has always been one of the staunchest supporters of the ICC”.
Judge Carmona was elected as ICC Judge for a term of nine years at the tenth session of the Assembly of States Parties in December 2011. He was sworn-in on 9 March 2012 and assigned to the Trial Division, however he had not yet been called to full-time duty at the Court.
In accordance with article 37 of the Rome Statute – the Court’s founding treaty - the Assembly of States Parties will elect a judge to fill the vacancy left by Judge Carmona’s resignation.
Bibliographical note, Judge Anthony T. CARMONA