FIDH commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the ICC

17/07/2023
Statement
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ICC-CPI / Aleksandra Milic

Today, 17 July 2023, marks not only the Day of International Criminal Justice, but also the 25th anniversary of the pivotal adoption of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC). It serves as a powerful reminder of the need to support the pursuit of meaningful justice for all victims impacted by war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression, wherever they are. FIDH contributes to #NGOVoices and shares key aspirations and recommendations for the future.

Justice that is meaningful to victims

Justice for victims of sexual and gender-based crimes

The Rome Statute codified the broadest range of sexual and gender-based crimes (SGBC) in the history of international law. 25 years after its adoption, while the ICC Office of the Prosecutor has adopted in 2014 a progressive Policy on SGBC and is now in the process of updating it, only a few ICC cases including a wide range of SGBC charges have been successful. FIDH calls for the full implementation of the Rome Statute’s SGBC provisions at both international and national levels.

Justice free from double standards and selectivity

Justice respectful of human rights defenders

This year we also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, who play a vital role within the Rome Statute system. States Parties and the ICC should stand up against the criminalisation, threats, and attacks against Human Rights Defenders who are working tirelessly to end impunity and support the ICC.

#RomeStatute25 Events and Links

 Watch incoming FIDH Representative to the ICC, Danya Chaikel speech at the 17 July event at UN Headquarters in New York that was web streamed on UN Web TV. See the full programme here. See recorded speech here


 Check out the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), Ukrainian International Criminal Justice Week.
 Read the Coalition for the International Criminal Court’s (CICC) special webpage for the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute - #NGOVoices Are at the Heart of the Rome Statute System.

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