NEW YORK, AUGUST 7 – The Permanent Representatives of Italy, Costa Rica, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, collectively expressed their deep concern over the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against the Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.
“The Court represents the commitment of its States Parties to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole”, the Ambassadors said: “It is regrettable that Russia continues its attempt to undermine the mandate of the Court, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to stand firmly by the Court, its officials and personnel, as well as those cooperating with it, together with other States Parties”.
The representatives of Italy, Costa Rica, Japan and the United Kingdom reaffirmed their full confidence in the Court as an independent and impartial court of law, and renewed their resolve to defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute, preserving the Court’s integrity undeterred by any threats.
With Italy at the forefront, the United Nations celebrated on July 17 the International Day of Criminal Justice, commemorating the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, which in 1998 established the International Criminal Court (ICC). Four years later, the progressive ratifications of the Statute allowed reaching the quorum set by Article 126 (60 ratifications), making the text enter into force on July 1, 2002.
The Court represented a significant step forward in creating an effective international judicial system and affirming the principle of individual accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Currently, the Office of the Prosecutor, led by Karim Asad Ahmad Khan and based in The Hague, is conducting 31 trials, 14 investigative examinations, and 3 preliminary examinations. There are 13 outstanding arrest warrants for accused individuals at large. On March 17, the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber II issued two arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseevna L’vova-Belova, the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights. Just last week, Khan announced the opening of an investigation into war crimes committed in Sudan in the context of the current hostilities. (@OnuItalia)
