"Many States Parties to the ICC Statute from all regions have reaffirmed the importance of genuine cooperation of States with the Court and their commitment to defend the integrity of the Rome Statute and the independence of the Court, in order to fulfill its mandate of ending impunity, as well as victims’ central role in ICC proceedings. The ICC remains far away from victims and must work to better and devote sufficient resources to include and respect their rights in accordance with the ICC Statute" , said Katherine Gallagher, FIDH Vice-President, who was heading the FIDH delegation at ASP13.
The newly elected President of the ASP, Senegal Justice Minister and FIDH Honorary President, Sidiki Kaba, underlined, in his first speech and throughout this session, his determination to defend the principles and values of the ICC and to reconcile the ICC with all regions, including Africa. Also, a dozen of African countries expressed their strong support to the Court’s work, including the CAR, Ivory Coast, the Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone and South Africa. [1]
FIDH welcomes the participation of the State of Palestine, which declared that it might very well be the 123rd State Party to the ICC Statute. FIDH hopes that Palestine ratifies the Statute without delay, and calls on States to support, not impede, Palestine’s pledge to accept responsibilities and protections that come with being a State Party.
The ASP also adopted resolutions, including the omnibus resolution, stressing the importance of victims’ participation in judicial proceedings, recalling the obligation of States to cooperate with the Court and the role of the ASP and UN Security Council, and welcoming efforts to strengthen national jurisdictions to fulfil their, primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes of international concern.
"At this ASP, the necessity for the Court to be effectively supported in its actions and benefit from States’ cooperation, as the situations and cases relating to Sudan and Kenya illustrate, was clearly emphasized. This support is essential to ensure capacity for the Court to remain an important and independent actor of the international scene, and deliver a meaningful justice, counter impunity, and ultimately prevent the commission of international crimes" , said Patrick Baudouin, FIDH Honorary President.
For an overview of FIDH activities during the ASP 13 from 8 to 17 December 2014, including our 4 side events on Ukraine, Mexico, Libya and victims rights developments at the ICC, see our storify : https://www.fidh.org/International-Federation-for-Human-Rights/international-justice/16607-13th-session-of-the-icc-assembly-of-states-parties-asp13
See also the two FIDH reports published on the eve of the ASP13 :
- FIDH position paper with recommendations to the 13th session of the ASP;
- FIDH report "Five myths about victim participation at ICC proceedings".