Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries on the Report of the International Criminal Court
Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) at the General Assembly Seventy-ninth Session on the Report of the International Criminal Court, 28 October 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden – and my own country, Finland.
We thank the President of the International Criminal Court Judge Tomoko Akane for being with us today and presenting the annual report of the ICC to the General Assembly.
Mr. President,
The United Nations and the ICC are both critical to preserving international rule of law. The ICC has jurisdiction over the most serious international crimes, namely the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. These crimes can be so serious that they threaten international peace and security; so egregious that criminal responsibility has to be pursued also at the international level.
The ICC is a Court of last resort. It does not replace national judicial systems, but strengthens and complements them. The ICC only steps in when necessary – when the national judicial systems are unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute.
Since its establishment, the ICC has made an invaluable contribution to international law. In an ideal world, the ICC would no longer be needed. Regrettably, its high workload echoes the record number of violent conflicts around the world since the end of the cold war, and the continuing prevalence of serious violations of international law.
Mr. President,
The Rome Statute reinforces the UN Charter, the ICC has thus a special relationship with the UN. The Rome Statute was negotiated under the auspices of the UN, following the recommendation of the International Law Commission. The Security Council was given a special power to refer situations to the ICC. We encourage the Security Council to use this power more often when facts on the ground so warrant. Furthermore, we encourage the permanent members of the Council to refrain from using the veto in situations where there are clear and credible indications of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or aggression.
We would also like to reiterate our call to the General Assembly to enable the UN to share the financial burden with respect to the situations the Security Council has referred to the ICC.
The ICC is the only permanent international criminal court with a global mandate. There are now over 120 States Parties to the Rome Statute, representing almost two-thirds of the UN member states. Since your last report to this Assembly, Madam President, Armenia has joined the ICC, and Ukraine has deposited its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute. We salute both countries for their important step towards strengthening international justice.
Universality of the ICC’s jurisdiction is central to ensuring accountability for the most serious crimes and we encourage all non-States parties to consider ratifying the Rome Statute as a matter of urgency.
Mr. President,
The Nordic countries would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of cooperation with the ICC. Under the Rome Statute, States Parties are obliged to cooperate fully with the Court and comply with requests from the Court for arrest and surrender. ICC’s ability to fulfil its mandate is dependent on States meeting their cooperation obligations, including in the execution of arrest warrants.
All States, whether parties to the Rome Statute or not, can cooperate with the ICC, and we encourage all to do so. Cooperation has many forms, from information sharing and execution of arrest warrants to the relocation of witnesses and enforcement of sentences.
Mr. President,
At the heart of the Rome Statute is a promise to deliver justice for the victims of the most serious crimes under international law. The importance of the ICC is not limited to its central role in international legal ecosystem upholding the rule of law globally. The ICC also serves as an avenue for justice for those who have suffered unimaginable atrocities. The reparations to victims ordered by the ICC are an important recognition of the suffering endured. The Nordic countries are long-standing supporters of the Trust Fund for Victims and its efforts to provide redress to victims of atrocities.
Mr. President,
The Nordic countries stand by the ICC as an independent and impartial court of law. We reiterate our full commitment to support the ICC and to preserve its integrity from any attacks, threats or pressure against the Court, its officials and staff, as well as those cooperating with it. The independence of judicial institutions is a fundamental component to the rule of law, and must be safeguarded at all times. The ICC must be allowed to carry out its mandate without fear or favor. We call on all States to respect the independence and impartiality of the ICC. Any threats or attacks against the Court, its personnel or those cooperating with it are unacceptable.
The protection of those cooperating with the ICC extends to civil society representatives who furnish the Court with evidence and information. Human rights defenders around the world are often the first to alarm us of atrocities unfolding in their regions.
In closing, Mr. President, the Nordic countries reiterate our unwavering commitment and support to the ICC.
I thank you.