EU Statement – UN General Assembly: Report of the International Criminal Court
– CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY –
*In accordance with Resolution 65/276 (Participation of the European Union in the work of the United Nations).
Madam President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
At the outset, I would like to thank President Tomoko Akane for presenting the annual report on the activities of the International Criminal Court, covering the period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025. Despite the increasingly challenging environment in which it operates, the Court continues to carry out its important work and makes significant progress in the global fight against impunity for the most serious crimes. We commend the President, the other elected officials, and all the staff of the Court for their dedication and we assure them of our unwavering support and commitment to upholding the Rome Statute and preserving the ICC’s independence and integrity.
The ICC is the cornerstone of the international fight against impunity, holding perpetrators of the world’s gravest crimes to account and giving victims a voice. The EU views the Court’s work as indispensable for ending impunity and promoting an international order based on international law, in line with the principle of complementarity.
The report – and further recent developments – demonstrate that the Court is working with determination to deliver justice and remains steadfast in pursuing accountability across many situations on different continents.
The recent conviction in the Darfur situation is a first in many respects: finally delivering justice for some of the many victims in Darfur, reaffirming gender-based persecution as a crime against humanity, and implementing the referral to the ICC by the United Nations Security Council. As civil war continues in Sudan 20 years later, this case reminds us that accountability is essential for reconciliation and preventing recurrence of crimes.
In general, the report confirms the need for accountability worldwide and the key role the Court plays. It also shows that the Court pursues no political objective and endeavours to carry out its mandate independently and impartially, with no agenda other than to deliver justice and reparation for victims.
Regrettably, the Court faces pressure threats, intimidation, and actions intended to destabilize its judicial activity, and undermine its legitimacy and impartiality.
The European Union condemns any attacks or threats against the Court, its elected officials and those cooperating with the Court. The cyberattacks and sanctions directed against the Court and its elected officials – including EU nationals – and those cooperating with the Court are deeply concerning and may affect the functioning of the Court and impair its capacity to deliver justice to victim of atrocities across all situations. They also have a chilling effect on civil society actors who work to support the Court and assist victims. The EU stands united in supporting the Court, its elected officials, its personnel and those cooperating with the Court. The ICC must be able to pursue its independent investigations and impartial judicial proceedings. The EU has engaged directly with the Court and affected officials as well as with civil society actors to discuss the current situation and will continue to explore concrete measures to protect the Court.
Madam President,
The Court cannot fulfil its mandate without effective cooperation from States.
We call on all States to follow up on their obligations to cooperate with the Court and end impunity for the gravest international crimes. In particular, we call on all States Parties to redouble efforts to identify new avenues for strengthened cooperation with the Court, including regarding the execution of outstanding arrest warrants.
Yet arrest and surrender of suspects remains a critical challenge: as noted in the report, 33 arrest warrants are still outstanding. We urge all States to live up to their obligations and refrain from any action that would frustrate the activities of the Court or undermine its decisions. We stress that a lack of cooperation with the ICC may affect the Court’s ability to exercise its functions.
Effective cooperation also requires ensuring that the Court has the means to fulfil its important functions.
We are mindful that the Court needs adequate capacities, commensurate with the increasing workload and challenges to its work. We therefore urge all States Parties to provide the ICC with the necessary resources, including in this year’s budgetary discussions in the ASP context.
The EU will continue to do its part, including through the provision of grants and other necessary assistance to ensure the Court’s effectiveness.
Furthermore, we encourage States Parties and others to continue supporting the Trust Fund, as well as the Court’s survivor-centred approach to accountability for sexual and gender-based crimes.
Madam President,
To succeed in the global fight against impunity, the ICC must become truly universal. The EU will continue encouraging the widest possible participation in the Rome Statute, and its effective implementation at the national levels, as well as in the Agreement on the Privileges and Immunities of the ICC.
We congratulate Ukraine on becoming the 125th State Party of the Rome Statute as of this year, and encourage Ukraine to ensure its swift implementation.
At the same time, we regret the recent announcement by some States Parties of their decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute. We encourage them to reconsider and remind them that they shall continue to fulfil their obligations until any such withdrawal takes effect.
Madam President,
In closing, the EU reiterate our resolute commitment to the Court and will continue to support it politically, diplomatically and financially. We will continue calling for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes to be brought to justice and held to account. No one – no matter who they are or where they are – must be allowed to escape justice, which must be delivered to every victim.
Thank you.