The Hague, December 5, 2024 – Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, delivered compelling addresses at two major international events held in The Hague: the Public Hearing on the Advisory Opinion on Climate Change at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the 23rd Assembly of States Parties (ASP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
At the ICJ hearing, Tarawalley underscored Sierra Leone’s vulnerability to climate change, highlighting the country’s susceptibility to coastal erosion, extreme weather events, and flooding. He drew attention to the catastrophic 2017 mudslides, which claimed over 1,000 lives, as a stark reminder of the nation’s climate-related challenges.
“The impacts of climate change are not just environmental but deeply human,” he said, emphasizing its implications on fundamental human rights such as life, health, food, water, and self-determination.
Tarawalley called for strengthened international commitments to combat climate change, urging global action to mitigate its effects on vulnerable nations like Sierra Leone.
Later, addressing the ICC’s 23rd ASP, Tarawalley lauded the court’s contributions to international justice, praising efforts by the Review Mechanism to enhance the ICC’s effectiveness.
He stressed the importance of continued collaboration among state parties, prioritization of victim-focused initiatives, and joint efforts to address emerging challenges.
During the ASP session, Tarawalley held talks with ICC Prosecutor Karim A. Khan K.C. on Sierra Leone’s ongoing commitment to the Rome Statute and its role in combating impunity for international crimes.
He also met with ICC Registrar Osvold Zavala Giler, commending the court’s resilience despite operational challenges.
Through these engagements, Sierra Leone reaffirmed its dual commitment to addressing the global climate crisis and supporting the ICC’s mandate to advance international criminal justice.
