The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court reiterates its deep concern about the criminal proceedings initiated against the Prosecutor and the Pre-trial Judges involved in the Ukraine situation, which now have been expanded to include arrest warrants against the President, the First Vice-President, and a Trial Judge of the Court.
We reject these unacceptable acts intended to hamper the Court’s independent mandate to investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. This attack against the institution, through attempted personal intimidation of its highest officials is a grave affront to the quest for accountability and to the rule of law.
As an institution of last resort, the Court is complementary to national efforts to ensure accountability for the gravest crimes. In so doing, the Court plays a key role in the pursuit of justice, which is an indispensable component of sustainable peace and security.
We reiterate our unwavering support for the International Criminal Court as an independent and impartial court of law and stand firmly by its elected officials, its personnel and all those cooperating with it. We urge all States, international organizations, and civil society to reject any threat and attack against them and to cooperate fully with the Court in order to preserve its integrity and enhance its protection, independence and impartiality.
The Assembly of States Parties is the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC. It is comprised of representatives of States that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute. The Presidency of the Assembly is currently composed of H.E. Ms. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, (Argentina) President; and H.E. Ms. Kateřina Sequensová (Czech Republic) and H.E. Mr. Robert Keith Rae (Canada), Vice-Presidents.