Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
New York, July 19, 2023 – In 2023, the States Parties to the Rome Statute will celebrate the 25th anniversary of this Convention, with which the international community has committed itself to combating impunity. Switzerland took part in the anniversary celebrations in New York on July 17, 2023. On July 18, 2023, it jointly organized an informal Security Council meeting with Japan on the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) contribution to international peace and security. Switzerland thus offered member states a platform where they could express their support for the ICC as an independent and impartial court and underline the role of the judiciary for peace.
The States Parties to the Rome Statute met on July 17, 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that Statute. They attended a ministerial meeting on the ICC’s strategic vision for the next decade. “With the founding of the International Criminal Court, an essential element of the multilateral architecture to uphold the rule of law was created. The Court deserves the full support of the international community both now and in the coming decade and beyond,” said Corinne Cicéron Bühler at this meeting. The 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute provides an opportunity to celebrate a milestone in the international community’s fight against impunity. The Statute created the International Criminal Court as an independent court for the most serious crimes: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. The anniversary celebrations give the ICC greater visibility and help secure the political support needed for its mandate. The meeting should also encourage all states that have not yet acceded to the Rome Statute to do so and to reflect on its future.
On July 18, 2023, UN members discussed the Court’s contribution to international peace and security. The informal “Arria meeting” was chaired by Ambassador Corinne Cicéron Bühler, who was awarded the title of State Secretary of the FDFA, and Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane, the Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations. It allowed for an exchange of views on the role and importance of the ICC in fighting impunity in the world. At the same time, the states reaffirmed their commitment to the Rome Statute. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the Assembly of States Parties, Deborah Ruiz Verduzco, Executive Director of the ICC Victims Trust Fund, and representatives from academia and civil society presented their vision for the future of the Court in the area of peace and security.
Justice and Sustainable Peace
The ICC is responsible for the most serious crimes. He should work with states to ensure that those responsible for their crimes are held accountable and that these crimes are not repeated. Switzerland supports the Court in its role as an independent and impartial court. Ambassador Corinne Cicéron Bühler said at the Security Council meeting: «The Security Council is the cornerstone of international peace and security; the ICC is the cornerstone of international criminal justice. Together they form the foundation for our shared vision of a fairer, safer and more peaceful world.”
The Court shares the fundamental values of the United Nations system: peace, security, the rule of law and respect for international law. Mutual cooperation is therefore of central importance. International justice is an essential prerequisite for a lasting peace. Incidentally, the ICC also contributes to justice through a program for the participation and compensation of victims.
25th anniversary of the Rome Statute
The Rome Statute was adopted 25 years ago at a diplomatic conference. The Convention defines the most serious crimes (genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression) and empowers the ICC to prosecute them. This anniversary marks 25 years of commitment by the international community to combating impunity. Switzerland has always worked to uphold and promote the principles and values of the Rome Statute. It has supported the Court since its inception and will continue to do so, in line with its Foreign Policy Strategy 2020-2023.
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Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
2023-07-19 07:32:09
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