ICC ASP Plenary on Cooperation
Joint statement delivered by Costa Rica on behalf of 48 States Parties
8 December
Ongoing conflicts and crises around the globe where serious international crimes might have been committed highlight the critical role of the ICC. Regrettably the court is needed more than we could have imagined 25 years ago.
Last year, the Assembly “Reaffirm[ed] its support for the consistent implementation of the Court’s mandate across the situations and cases under its jurisdiction in the interests of justice and the victims’ right of access to justice, and stress[ed] the need for sustainable resources for all situations and cases as well as cooperation with the Court to that end.”
To ensure that we live up to the challenges of today, and the legitimate expectations of victims and affected communities, we must put those words into practice by providing the Court the political, operational and financial support it needs.
As Assembly, we must support the work of the Court across each and all situations before it. All victims deserve equal access to justice.
We must work together to protect the Court’s judicial and prosecutorial independence and we should together decisively reject threats aimed at the Court and those cooperating with it, including in civil society.
While ensuring the Court must exercise a sound management of its resources, the ICC must be provided with the required financial capacity to fulfill its mandate. We must be ready to invest in justice.
Cooperation with the Court makes justice possible. We celebrate the first case completed in full, which was made possible by cooperation.
Our Governments recall that this court was created for present and future generations. Let’s continue working together to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of international concern and provide justice to its victims, today and in the future.