NEW YORK, February 7, 2025 (WAFA) - Seventy-nine States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) reaffirmed their continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The Court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims,” said the joint statement.
The statement stressed that the Court is facing unprecedented challenges today. “Measures sanctioning the Court, its officials and staff, and those cooperating with it [have been] adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute.”
“Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security. Moreover, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved—including victims, witnesses, and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals.”
Sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the Court may have to close its field offices. Advancing the ICC’s vital work serves our common interest in promoting accountability, as evidenced by the support provided to the Court by both States Parties and non-States Parties, read the joint statement.
“As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring the ICC’s business continuity so that the Court can continue to carry out its functions effectively and independently,” added the statement.
“As we collectively strive to uphold international justice, we underscore the ICC’s indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights.”
This statement in support of the International Criminal Court is endorsed by the following States: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu.
The Permanent Representative of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, Ambassador Riyad Mansour, welcomed the statement, emphasizing the importance of preserving the neutrality and independence of the International Criminal Court and opposing any interference in its affairs, as well as opposing the imposition of sanctions on it.
He expressed gratitude to all the countries that initiated the issuance of this statement and to all the countries that signed it.
T.R.
