Day of International Criminal Justice: Declaration by the High Representative Josep Borrell

 

Press material Saturday 16 July 2022   ● Council of the EU   16/07/2022 12:04 | Press release | Day of International Criminal Justice: Declaration by the High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union   17 July is a day to commemorate our commitment to international criminal justice. This is an occasion to reflect on how impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community undermines the very fabric of societies. Impunity destabilises countries and entire regions, causes unspeakable suffering to millions of people, especially the most vulnerable ones, threatens international peace and security, hampers reconciliation and reverses hard-won progress in post-conflict situations. International justice mechanisms are essential to ensure that the most serious crimes are investigated and prosecuted, perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive justice, adequate assistance and reparations for the harm suffered. The situation affecting several countries all around the world, and now Ukraine as a consequence of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression, demonstrate how our aspirations for peace and justice can be shattered at any time and how defending a rules-based international order and ensuring accountability is more crucial than ever. The European Union and its member states are committed to strengthening the international criminal justice system and reaffirm their full support to the International Criminal Court, a court of last resort complementary to national jurisdictions. We are resolved to defend the integrity of the Rome Statute and the universality and independence of the Court. The EU calls on all States to adhere to their commitments to uphold the rule of law and international law, whether at the ICC or in their national courts. The national jurisdictions of the member states have matured significantly in the application of the principle of universal jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes before national courts. The European Network for investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes enables close cooperation between the national authorities when investigating and prosecuting the most serious crimes. The EU also contributes to the promotion of international criminal justice by supporting transitional justice initiatives and investigative mechanisms for numerous contexts, such as the international mechanisms in Syria and Myanmar. As one of the main donors in support of justice sector reform worldwide, the EU fosters transparent and accountable justice institutions, promotes independent, impartial and effective justice, and supports access to justice for all. We will continue to engage in efforts to support civil society, lawyers, prosecutors and all contributors to the international justice system who relentlessly work to bring justice, to protect human rights and promote respect for international humanitarian law. The European Union will continue calling for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes to be brought to justice and held to account. We owe it to the victims. Impunity is not an option. Nowhere. For no one.