Submission Link : ICC Policy Link
Submission Summary:
The International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) undertook an inquiry in relation to the development of a Policy on Slavery Crimes.
Anti-Slavery Australia recommends that the ICC OTP advocate for the establishment of a national compensation scheme for survivors of slavery in all States Parties to the Rome Statute, using the framework we have developed and recommended in Australia is used as a model for state-based responses. The submission describes a national compensation scheme as the only way of establishing a proper means for survivors to rebuild their lives, prevent them from re-entering slavery and acknowledge the harm they have suffered.
The submission pushes for a national compensation scheme to rectify the existing legal challenges and ambiguities faced by victim-survivors in accessing compensation, such as limitations in existing legislation, inconsistencies in eligibility criteria, and the complexity of proving offences. The submission also finds a national compensation scheme to better align with Australia’s international law obligations.
By incorporating our model, the OTP can set coordinated and centralised policy approach on slavery crimes, demonstrating leadership in advancing justice for survivors and setting global standards for accountability.