ICC's Bensouda receives Peace award‏

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Fatou BensoudaBensouda is to receive the United Nations ‘Peace award’ given by the UN Association of Spain. According to the Association’s website, “The award is conceded by the United Nations Association of Spain (ANUE) since 1980, aiming at recognising the merits of an individual or collective work, a personal trajectory or an entity that stands out for its dedication and efforts to achieve the objectives of the principles encouraged by the United Nations: the defence of a peaceful resolution of conflicts, of human rights and of the fundamental freedoms.” Many consider the award as meritorious award well placed in view of Bensouda’s unwavering crusade for justice and human rights. The award comes barely two weeks after Bensouda came under discussions in London after she was nominated at the UN WOMEN UK Chapter during the occasion of the UN global Celebration of Women & Men’s Engagement in Gender Equality. Bensouda was among world personalities lined up for discussions based on their role in promoting the cause of justice and gender equality. The UN UK Committee and the overwhelming audience nodded in affirmation as Bensouda’s long profile was read out cataloguing her role as the former Attorney General and Justice Minister of the Gambia; who rose to become the first African and more significantly, the first woman to head The Hague-based ICC. The audience also underscored her previous long accomplishments backed by time-tested academic and professional excellence that makes her a great role model for the upcoming generation of women aspiring to make their mark in leadership. This year, the Jury for the peace prize wants to recognise her dedication and work in the rule of law and her contribution to peace. The winner of the Peace Prize is decided in collaboration with the Barcelona Province Council, which provides the monetary award. Presentation is at the Saló de Cent of the Barcelona City Hall, which also supports the event. Bensouda is a lawyer and former official of the Gambian Government, an expert on International Criminal Law. Before rising to the ICC Prosecutor job, she held the deputy position. Prior to her work at the International Criminal Court, Mrs. Bensouda worked as Legal Adviser and Trial Attorney at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, where she was head of the Legal Advisory Unit. Between 1987 and 2000 she was Senior State Counsel, Principal State Counsel, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Solicitor General and Legal Secretary of the Republic, and Attorney General and Minister of Justice, in which capacity she served as Chief Legal Advisor to the President and Cabinet of the Republic of Gambia.    ]]>