International Bar Association backs  more female lawyers

The Hague, 14 May-(ANA)-The International Bar Association (IBA) has thrown its weight behind the call for more women lawyers at the International Criminal Court, ICC.

IBA executive director Mark Ellis said the Association has given its full and unqualified support to the ICC’s campaign to increase the number of women lawyers in Africa practicing before the Court.

As of January 2010, only 61 of a total of 335 Counsel registered to practice before the ICC were women.

Given the under-representation of women before the Court, the IBA and the ICC will carry out this campaign in partnership to encourage eligible women lawyers to apply for admission to the ICC List Counsel.

The campaign will focus on African lawyers, since the current situations before the ICC all concern Africa. (ANA)

FA/ANA/14 May 2010--------