Gambia presents Justice Wright as candidate for ICC bench

By Modou Sall, Banjul

The Government of The Gambia has formally launched the candidacy of Hon. Justice Veronic Wright for election as a judge of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The launch took place last week at the United Nations headquarters in New York, bringing together diplomats, legal experts, UN representatives and other stakeholders with an interest in international justice.

The announcement was made by Gambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, H.E. Sering Modou Njie, who described Justice Wright’s nomination as a reflection of the country’s continued commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

Minister Njie thanked President Adama Barrow and the Gambian government for supporting the candidacy, saying The Gambia has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to international law and efforts aimed at preventing grave human rights violations.

He pointed to Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, as well as the country’s engagement with ECOWAS and the African Union on issues of justice and accountability.

The foreign minister also referred to the country’s ongoing efforts to address the human rights violations uncovered by the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission. He said Justice Wright’s nomination represents another important step in The Gambia’s broader journey toward justice and institutional accountability.

In her remarks, Justice Wright expressed appreciation to the Gambian government for the confidence placed in her. She outlined a vision for an ICC that gives greater attention to victims and survivors of conflict, especially survivors of sexual violence and children affected by war.

“The legitimacy of every judgment rests upon the fairness of the process that produced it,” Justice Wright said, stressing the importance of impartiality, integrity and fairness in the work of the Court.

Messages of support were also delivered on behalf of key Gambian legal figures, including the Attorney General and members of the Supreme Court. They highlighted Justice Wright’s experience in international criminal justice and her service within The Gambia’s judiciary.

The event attracted Permanent Representatives to the UN, legal advisers, election officials and representatives of countries that are parties to the Rome Statute, as well as non-member states.

Justice Wright’s candidacy comes at a time when the ICC continues to face criticism over concerns about its treatment of African cases and wider questions about its global credibility. Supporters believe her experience, judicial record and emphasis on victim-centered justice could contribute to strengthening confidence in the Court.

The election of new ICC judges is expected later this year. If elected, Justice Wright would join the panel of judges responsible for hearing cases involving some of the world’s most serious crimes, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.