“Prevention of international crimes requires support of global community”: ICC President commemorates International Criminal Justice Day
Today, 26 June 2015, the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi emphasized the importance of global support for justice and accountability during a seminar to commemorate the Day of International Criminal Justice organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in The Hague (Netherlands). The Day of International Criminal Justice marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, on 17 July 1998.
Calling on everyone to join in celebrations of International Criminal Justice Day, ICC President Fernández de Gurmendi also stressed that "the prevention and sanction of international crimes require not only the support and cooperation of governments but also of the global community". "The ICC is here to address atrocious crimes committed against our fellow human beings. And our job is to make sure that this is sound, meaningful justice that has a real impact in helping to restore and maintain a stable peace".
The seminar, opened by H.E. Ambassador of Poland Jan Borkowski, also featured discussions on preliminary examinations and investigations by the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor, moderated by H.E. Ambassador of Bolivia Eduardo Rodriguez Veltzé.
17 July was designated as the Day of International Criminal Justice by the States Parties to the Rome Statute, and it unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims' rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world. As of today, 123 States are parties to the Rome Statute, which seeks to end impunity for and help prevent genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Keynote speech by ICC President Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi at Event marking Day of International Criminal Justice: English
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