World Day for International Justice

Every year on July 17, the world observes the World Day for International Justice, a day dedicated to promoting international criminal justice and honouring the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes that affect the international community. This day serves as a reminder of the importance of justice, accountability, and the rule of law in addressing atrocities and promoting peace worldwide.

HISTORY

The origin of the World Day for International Justice dates back to July 17, 1998, when the Rome Statute was adopted, establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is the first permanent international court capable of prosecuting individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so.

The Rome Statute represents a significant milestone in the global fight against impunity for grave crimes and aims to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes are held accountable. On the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, July 17th was designated as the Day of International Criminal Justice, later renamed the World Day for International Justice.

The day underscores the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly those responsible for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other egregious violations of international law.

It raises awareness about the role of international justice mechanisms, including the ICC, in addressing impunity and contributing to global peace and security.

It also highlights the rights of victims and survivors of these crimes, emphasising their need for justice, reparations, and acknowledgement.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

·    Learn about international criminal justice mechanisms, including the ICC, and their impact on global peace and justice.

·  Use social media platforms and other channels to raise awareness about the importance of international justice and the significance of World Day for International Justice.

·   Participate in events organised by international organisations, NGOs, or academic institutions focusing on international justice and human rights.

·   Advocate for justice and accountability in your community and support initiatives that promote human rights and the rule of law.

 

 

World Emoji Day

In today's digital age, communication is faster and more convenient than ever, and emojis are at the heart of this revolution. With over 90% of online users incorporating emojis to express themselves, these tiny icons have become a significant part of our online language.

Did you know that July 17th is dedicated to celebrating these beloved symbols? World Emoji Day, established by Jeremy Burge, the founder of Emojipedia-a comprehensive resource for everything emoji-honours these essential elements of digital communication.

The choice of this date is quite clever on iOS keypads, the calendar emoji displays July 17, making it a fitting selection for World Emoji Day.

World Emoji Day History

The evolution of emojis has transformed simple text-based messages into expressive exchanges. The journey began in the 1980s with basic text-based emoticons like ":-)" and ":-(." In 1999, a Japanese designer created the first set of emojis for a mobile company, leading to their global adoption.

In 2007, a software internationalization team at Google petitioned the Unicode Consortium, a nonprofit organization that maintains text standards across computers, to recognize emojis.

Emojis began gaining popularity worldwide, and in 2011, Apple added an official emoji keyboard to iOS, making them accessible in many countries. Over time, emojis have continued to evolve and expand to include representations of people, cultures, different skin tones, genders, and family structures. Today, thousands of emojis are available, representing everything from animals to food to flags.

World Emoji Day Significance

In the era of social media, emojis play a significant role on platforms like Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and WhatsApp. They not only influence our daily lives but also enhance communication by allowing us to express feelings without words. Emojis have a cultural impact, conveying various emotions, concepts, and ideas, with meanings that can vary based on context and culture. These tiny digital icons enable us to communicate more effectively.