The
17th of July marks the date of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the
International Criminal Court in 1998. This day is dedicated to celebrating the
developments and achievements of international criminal justice institutions and
to remind us that we need to continue working, at both national and
international levels, to ensure that the perpetrators of the most serious crimes
are brought to justice and held to account.
On this occasion, the
European Union and its Member States reaffirm their full support to the
International Criminal Court and to the strengthening of an international
criminal justice system committed to deter the commission of crimes, to fight
impunity and to ensure the protection of the victims' rights.
Justice is
one of the core elements towards reconciliation and sustainable peace. Without
justice, the most heinous crimes go unpunished, victims are unable to obtain
redress and peace remains an elusive goal, since impunity generates more hatred,
leading to acts of revenge and more suffering.
The European Union is one
of the main donors in support of justice sector reform worldwide, strengthening
law enforcement and justice institutions, promoting independent and impartial
justice, and supporting access to justice for all. Since 2000, we have committed
€37 million in direct support of the International Criminal Court.
The
European Union has been also supporting transitional justice initiatives and
international justice mechanisms related to specific countries. In the case of
Syria, the EU has recently allocated funding amounting to €1,5 million to the
International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to Assist in the
Investigation and Prosecution of Persons Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes
under International Law Committed in Syria. The EU calls on the international
community to support to the Mechanism, including through adequate financial
means, to ensure that it would be able to start work as soon as possible and
fulfil its mandate, in line with the principles of universality and at the
highest level of professionalism.
The European Union will continue to
fully support multilateral global governance, based on international law, human
rights and strong international institutions. In this regard, we remain
committed to advance our fight against impunity, and to promote the universal
ratification of the Rome Statute.
