On 28 November 2011, the Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice published a paper on the Election of the Prosecutor for the ICC.

With the term of the current Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) drawing to a close next June, the States Parties of the ICC have been involved in a year-long process to identify the next Prosecutor. Coming at a critical moment not only for the Court, but also for promoting global support for and conformity with the rule of law, addressing impunity, and avoiding a return to victors’ justice, this election is the focus of intense political interest.

This paper provides a review of the election process, the final four candidates and a comparative review of the prosecutorial experience of the unofficial final two candidates – Fatou Bensouda and Mohamed Chande Othman. The document also includes suggestions for areas to strengthen in future nomination and election processes for the office of Chief Prosecutor of the ICC.