Change Your Weekend Plans; International Mandela Day and Day for International Justice are Round the Corner

“Thus shall we live, because we will have created a society which recognises that all people are born equal, with each entitled in equal measure to life, liberty, prosperity, human rights, and good governance.” – Nelson Mandela

Why is 18th July celebrated as the Nelson Mandela International Day

18th of July 2020 will be celebrated worldwide as Nelson Mandela Day to signify the South African leader’s unstoppable zest for Liberty and Equality. He was born on this day, destined to be the champion of people and even after being jailed for two and a half decades (1963-1990), he increasingly symbolized freedom and anti-apartheid voice amongst the masses in South Africa and rest of the world. 

Rewind to the late eighties; millions idolized Nelson Mandela, stood for him and the public voice demanding his release became so loud and powerful that eventually, the mighty British Colonists had to end the ban on Africa national Congress and release Mr Mandela after a long prison sentence of close to 27 years in 1990. Soon after, he served his country for five years as the first South African president of colour from 1994 - 1999. 

“Justice and the very mention of Nelson Mandela take echo in the same parlance’ almost like synonyms. Although without any correlation, the International Justice day is observed globally just a day before Mandela’s marquee day and signifies the lawful significance of International Criminal Court and its judicial powers. As members of civil society and scholars of top universities, it also becomes our moral imperative to spread awareness about such initiatives, if we seek a better and a fair world for us and future generations. As students, most of us, at some point in our academia, have written about Social Justice Essay Assignment or on similar subjects with lofty claims. We for one, admit to giving Law Assignment Help to scores of students with idealistic ideas. 

Now is the time to ACT. Take some time off this weekend to spread Mandela’s novel idea of a fair society and the Roman dream of ‘justice to all’ as envisioned by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In 1998, 120 nations came together to recognise the Roman Statute of International justice and hence recognizing the judicial powers of the International Criminal Court(ICC). The motive since then is to deliver the dream of what Rome once was. | Image Credit – Coalition for the ICC Org.

History and Societal significance of International Justice Day: 17th July 2020

Also known as Day of International Criminal Justice; the global awareness event focuses on encapsulating global criminal justice proceedings through one bona fide body: International Criminal Court;  The world is observing the day since 1998, when on the same date, during the annual meet of Coalition of ICC (International Criminal Court) in Kampala, Uganda, over 120 nations recognized and adopted the Roman Statute 22 years ago and willfully admitted to the legal purview and judicial powers of the International Criminal Court, in an unprecedented move. 

Nelson Mandela was also called Madiba; his tribe name. Today he is a popular culture icon and inspiration of many pop artists owing to his liberal ideas that were aeons ahead of their times. Students, Intellectuals and Artists around the globe take inspiration from his life and powerful quotes.

The legend of Nelson Mandela. The ‘Extraordinaire’  freedom fighter

Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi; although born half a millennia apart; both found their higher calling in South Africa and emerged as the biggest champions of human rights. freedom and international justice for their generations. Nelson is also known as ‘Gandhi of Africa’ too staunchly practised and believed in non – violence and true justice for citizens that define equality in totality and not something contingent to gender, race, the colour of your skin or lineage. Let's take a look at his exemplary life; the origin, evolution and eventual success of Africa’s most recognized social and political figure.

Nelson Mandela received over 250 prominent awards for his social and political ideologies including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993. Like Gandhi in India, his persona reached a cult status in South Africa and despite being confined in jail, his existence itself kept the freedom and anti-apartheid movement alive in South Africa.

• He is also called “Father of the Nation” by South Africans and is fondly known as Madiba; his Xhosa tribe name.

• Nelson Mandela was born in Transkei, Africa as Rolihlahla Mandela on July 18th 1918; his birth name roughly translates to ‘troublemaker’, he was christened Nelson in his school at the age of seven.

• His wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, although lesser known, was the key torchbearer of the freedom movement while he was in captivity for 26.5 years. Mandela attributed the entire success of the freedom struggle to Winnie, who was regularly harassed and even physically tortured by the colonial British regime.

• He served as the first Black President of South Africa from 1994-1999 with a landslide victory in the first-ever democratic electoral event in South Africa.

What is 67 minutes of Mandela Day?

67 minutes of Mandela Day calls for positive action on every 18th July in a tribute to 67 years of Mandela’s life given towards public equality and in fighting colonial powers against apartheid in South Africa. Civil societies and government bodies across the world observe this to display their solidarity towards social justice and equality in civilized societies.

Why is the ICC ever important in 2020?

International Criminal Court (ICC) is not a substitute for or undermines National Courts but it is required when the crime takes place outside the jurisdiction of a national court. The primary prerogative is to bring international criminals to justice in cases where either the national courts do not dictate the law of the land or where issues such as diplomatic immunity, war crimes come into effect, rendering national courts and local laws as ineffective. 

The ICC (International Criminal Court) building is situated in Hague, Netherlands. Image | Forbes 

In 1998, almost all progressive nations; 120 in total, and civil societies consented unanimously to recognize the efforts and jurisdiction of ICC in delivering accountability to victims of international crime; especially to the ones who are caught in conflict zones. The adopted resolution came to be known as The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

One of the recent successes of ICC has been to initiate proceedings against the war crime perpetrated in Afghanistan since 2003. This is being counted as a major victory for the International Justice body due to the long fight it had to go through with powerful state actors and the proceedings to identify the culprits have begun in March 2020.

How can University students contribute to the success of International Justice Day?

Student voice, it is said, is a prominent catalyst in bringing about policy changes and reforms. How can you lend your hand in strengthening the ICC or to validate the concerns of victims of international crime?

Spread the word about the World day for Criminal Justice. Write and engage with the topic on blogs, forums and social media. Use your reach with friends and friends of friends to spread awareness about the day. Identify the key area where strong public support is required to further solidify the prominence of ICC. 

Be vocal about the achievements of the International Criminal Court. Student communities are connected throughout the world and one good word can create a major ripple. Voice your opinions and identify the issues faced by ICC in war-hit zones of the world. This is where the maximum exploitations are happening in the name of civil wars and peacekeeping programs. A strong public opinion can aid in delivering speedy justice in such cases.

Why should you spend your weekend observing Mandela Day and International Justice Day in 2020?

The world needs peace, justice and equality more than ever, notably more, after the imbalance in wealth parity that the COVID pandemic is causing. The percussions of the Corona outbreak will be felt and heard for many coming years and as a society, especially scholars of today must work relentlessly towards strengthening the laws, guidelines and designated bodies that are responsible for maintaining justice in our rapidly evolving world.

How are you going to spread Mandela’s message or be a vocal representative of the International Criminal Court? Do let us know in the comment section below or give us a holler on our social media pages.

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