No Peace Without Justice mourns with great sadness the passing of Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General and Nobel Peace Laureate who dedicated much of his life to the promotion and protection of human rights and the rule of law worldwide. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends, and to his many colleagues and friends around the world.

Through his vision and determination in the fight for the affirmation of international law against impunity, Kofi Annan was also a critical contributor to the establishment and development of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

We had the honour to work closely with him since the intense round of negotiations which led to the adoption of the Final Act of the United Nations Plenipotentiary Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ICC Statute, on 18 July 1998, at the Campidoglio in Rome. Without his tireless efforts to step up the ratification of the Rome Statute, it is unlikely we would have a court at all – certainly not one that has the capacity to make a decisive contribution to peace and accountability throughout the world.

The entire human rights international community has lost a true friend and advocate and a great source of inspiration. We urge all who knew him and whose lives she touched to carry on his legacy. NPWJ will certainly do so.