Last night, at a New York event marking the 10th session of the Assembly of the States Parties of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Jolie was honored with a Justitia Award for Civic Support of the Year as a global citizen working for the plight of refugees and victims around the world, and for continuously supporting the Court.
It's a shame that the U.S. doesn't show so much support for the Court. Our country was previously a signatory to the ICC, but George W. Bush unsigned us in 2002. He was apparently uncomfortable with the idea of international justice.
That said, other recipients of this year's Justicia Awards are as follows:
• Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the first Prosecutor of the ICC, received a Justitia Honorary Award for his dedication and determination in institutionalizing the Court;
• Christian Wenaweser, the current President of the Assembly of State Parties, received a Justitia Honorary Award for his leadership in the Court;
• Botswana President Ian Khama received the Justitia Statesman of the Year Award for his unwavering support of the ICC and his leadership in Africa;
• Benjamin Ferencz received the Justitia Lifetime Achievement Award for his pursuit of the rule of law, including his leadership role in the Nazi-war-crimes tribunal of Nuremberg, and for being the strongest advocate for an ICC for more than a half a century;
• The Invisible Children organization received the Justitia Award for the Civic Campaign of the Year for their determination in highlighting the abduction and forced enlistment of children as soldiers in Uganda by the Lord’s Resistance Army.
I think it's wonderful - and ironic - that these honors were awarded on U.S. soil. Take that, George W!
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