Statute

Georgian Coalition for International Criminal Court
Statute

Preamble

Considering the recent history of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations that have occurred on the territory of Georgia;
Affirming that the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, such as genocide, aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity shall not remain unpunished;
Recognising the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a key instrument for the fight against impunity for serious human rights and international humanitarian law violations;
Reaffirming that there can be no sustainable peace and reconciliation without justice;
Committed to principles of human rights and rules of law;
Continuing the work started by the Georgian Coalition for ICC since 2003;
Relying on the work undertaken by the national NGOs in terms of supporting victims and spreading information about ICC;
The representatives of the member organizations of Georgian Coalition for ICC (hereinafter: the Coalition) – International Center on Conflict and Negotiation, Human Rights Center, Georgian Young Lawyers Association, Human Rights Priority, Union 21st Century, Article 42 of Constitutional, Center for Constitutional Rights, Justice International and Georgian Center for Psycho-social and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) make decision to strengthen the work of the Coalition with proposed changes in the statute, in order to enhance the efficiency of the work of the Coalition and ensure the fulfillment of its goals and objectives. 
 

Chapter I
Name, Goal and Objectives
Article 1.1. Name
In Georgian: საქართველოს კოალიცია სისხლის სამართლის საერთაშორისო სასამართლოსთვის.
In English: Georgian Coalition for the International Criminal Court (GCICC).
Article 1.2 Aim
The Georgian Coalition for the ICC (GCICC) aims to strengthen democracy, the rule of law, sustainable peace and reconciliation in Georgia through promoting accountability for genocide, crime of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity at the national and international levels and by supporting victims of such crimes in seeking redress and reparations. 
Article 1.3 Objectives
The objectives of Georgian Coalition for the ICC are:
Documentation of violations amounting to crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC;
Defending interests and supporting victims of crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the ICC on national and international levels;
Raising awareness on the ICC and related issues among the general public, including affected communities;
Cooperating with ICC and Coalition for ICC;
Promoting conflict prevention, its peaceful resolution and trust-building.

Chapter II

General Assembly

Article 2.1 General Assembly

The major decision-making and governing body of the Coalition is the General Assembly, which is composed of all member non-governmental organisations of the Coalition.
The General Assembly is authorized to make decision if more than half of the member non-governmental organizations are participating in the assembly physically or electronically. Besides, the General Assembly is authorized if the chair or deputy chair is attending it.

Article 2.2 The Rules for Conducting Sessions of General Assembly

The General Assembly is held minimum once in every quarter of the year. By the initiative of the chair, deputy chair or 1/3 of the members of the Coalition, it is possible to convene extraordinary meeting, by giving prior notice electronically or through other communication means.
The general assembly is led by the chair of the Coalition. In case of the absence of the chair, the general assembly is led by the deputy chair. The protocol is composed regarding the content of the general assembly. The Chair of the Coalition is responsible for the accuracy of the protocol. In case of his/her absence – the deputy chair. 
The members of the Coalition are represented at the General Assembly by the individuals authorized to supervise and represent the organization, without any warrant. In case of absence of such person, any authorized representatives, without any warrant.
The sessions of the general assembly, as a rule, are open to any member of the Coalition. The member attending the session is authorized to express opinion regarding the issues discussed at the session and participate in the decision-making process.
The information regarding the time and date of the sessions is sent to every member of the Coalition no later than one week prior the date of the holding of session. The Chair or Deputy Chair ensures the sending of the information.

Article 2.3 The Rule of Making Decision at the General Assembly

The decision is taken at the general assembly through open ballot by the simple majority, by any means of communication, if it is not otherwise determined by the statute. In case of equal number of votes, the decisive vote is cast by the chair, in his/her absence – by the deputy chair.
Besides the issues indicated below, the decision may be taken through secret ballot by the decision of 2/3 of the members of the Coalition. In case of equal number of votes, the decisive vote is cast by the chair, in his/her absence – by the deputy chair.
It is not allowed to make decision through secret ballot regarding following issues:
Amending the Statute of GCICC;
Accepting new members;
Termination of the membership of GCICC;
Defining strategy and action plan of GCICC;
The Chair or by his/her request - the Deputy Chair - immediately sends the information regarding the decision of the General Assembly to every member of the GCICC.

Chapter III

Leadership Powers

Article 3.1 Individuals in Leadership Positions

The individuals in leadership position are: Chair and Deputy Chair.

Article 3.2 Electing individuals in Leadership Positions 

The General Assembly elects the chair and deputy chair through secret ballot, for two-year term, from its member organizations. Any member of the General Assembly can propose the candidacy of the chair or deputy chair. The candidates who receive more votes than any other candidate will be considered to be elected as a Chair or Deputy Chair. In case of equal number of votes, repeated voting takes place.

Article 3.3 Resignation

The individuals in leadership positions have a right to resign on the basis of their personal request. They make written notice to the General Assembly regarding this one month before the resignation.

Article 3.4 Dismissal

Considering the best interests of the GCICC, the individuals in leadership position may be dismissed from their positions by the decision of 2/3 of all members of the General Assembly if there is substantiated argumentation against him/her.

Article 3.5 Rights and Responsibilities of the Chair

The Chair of GCICC carries out general supervision and coordination of the Coalition.
The Chair represents the Coalition to the third parties and makes public statements regarding the work and future plans of the Coalition. The content of the statements must be agreed with the General Assembly prior. 
The Chair of the Coalition ensures unhampered work of the Coalition, including through following work:
Composing/resuming contact registry of the member organizations and sharing it with the members;
Timely informing the members of the Coalition regarding any issue related to the work of the Coalition;
Effective communication between the members of the Coalition in reasonable in a reasonable timely manner;
Informing the members of the Coalition regarding the structural changes, events planned by the Coalition and other activities;
Preparing and organizing the working meetings of the General Assembly, composing the agenda and protocols;
Organizing the process of developing/resuming the strategy and action plan of the Coalition along with other members;
Planning and implementing relevant activities for achieving the goals of the Coalition, including, obtaining information, preliminary analysis and preparing written documentation and cooperating with the interested parties;
Preparing annual reports regarding the work of the Coalition and presenting to the General Assembly in case of necessity;
Cooperating with the Coalition for ICC;
Advocating on international and national level for achieving the goals set by the Coalition;
Fulfilling other functions envisaged by the Statute.

Article 3.6 The Rights and Responsibilities of the Deputy Chair

In case of absence of the chair, the deputy chair implements the rights of the chair, including through following work:

Assisting the Chair to obtain different important information, analysis of information and preparing written documents;
Invites General Assembly/working meetings through agreement with the Chair and determines the agenda;
Participates in meetings of the Coalition with the third persons;
Fulfils other tasks given by the Chair;
Fulfils other functions determined by this Statute.

Chapter IV

The Membership of the Coalition

Article 4.1 Prerequisites for Membership
Any NGO which supports and shares the goals and objectives of the GCICC, expresses readiness to cooperate with other members of the Coalition in order to achieve the common goals, has clear interest and minimum two-year experience in international law and human rights protection, can become the member of the Coalition.
GCICC is open for new members. The NGO which wishes to become the member of the GCICC must present the filled-out form in written and two recommendations from the NGO working in the field of international law or/and in human rights protection. The Chair and Deputy Chair sends the documentation received from the NGO regarding the request to become a member to the General Assembly before the next meeting. In order to decide the issue, the General Assembly has a right to request additional documentation from the organization wishing to become a member and appoint an interview. The General Assembly examines the application regarding becoming a member and makes decision regarding accepting or rejecting a new member, in 90 calendar days since the submission of the documentation. 
Article 4.2 The Obligations of the Member
The member of the Coalition is obliged:
To respect the goals and objectives of the Coalition;
To adhere and fulfill the statute of the Coalition;
To regularly participate in the work of the Coalition, including, through developing the strategy and action plan of the Coalition
Article 4.3 Terminating Membership of the Coalition
By the initiative of no less than 1/3 of the members of the General Assembly, the membership of the Coalition may be terminated by the decision of 2/3 of the members of the General Assembly, if the member:
Systematically is not involved in the work of the Coalition, conducts work inconsistent with the goals and objectives of the Coalition;
Violates the decisions of the Coalition;
Disrespects the reputation of the Coalition and its members.
Article 4.4 Leaving the Coalition
The member of the Coalition has a right to leave the coalition, according its own decision. It gives written notice to the Chair or Deputy Chair regarding it.
 

Chapter V

The Working Meetings of the Coalition

Article 5.1 Working Meetings of the Coalition
The working meeting may be conducted by the initiative of any member of the Coalition. The members of the Coalition are informed about the working meetings through any means of the communication. The working meetings take place for discussing various issues related to the work of the Coalition.
The member of the Coalition is represented at the working meetings by the individual authorized to supervise and represent the organization. In case of his/her absence, the authorized representative. 

Chapter VI
Informing the Members of the Coalition and External Communication
Article 6.1 The Rules regarding Internal and External Communication
The members of the Coalition and society are informed through social networks, electronic post, website and other means of communication.

Chapter VII

Conflict of Interest

Article 7.1 Definition of Conflict of Interest
Before discussing the issues at the sessions of the General Assembly, the member organization of GCICC is obliged to state regarding the conflict of interest if there is such conflict and must not participate in the discussion.
The conflict of interest is any private or public relation or/and situation of the organization and/or its any representative which may hinder its representative to be independent, objective and unbiased when making the decision, according to the assessment of the objective observer. The circumstance giving rise to conflict of interest may be related to personal, professional, public, family, relational or any other ground or circumstance.

Article VIII

Concluding Provisions

Article 8.1 Concluding Provisions
The Statute is composed in Georgian language.
The Statute is adopted unanimously by the members of the Coalition on September 23, 2019.