NEW YORK, DECEMBER 7 – At XXII Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, Italy confirmed today its unwavering support to the International Criminal Court, its principles and to the Court’s crucial work to strengthen and enforce the rule of law. In its capacity of newly elected member of the Bureau, Italy reiterated its condemnation of attacks and threats against the Court and its officials.
“States Parties must protect the Court from unacceptable attempts to question its integrity and undermine its independence. In this regard, we condemn any threat or act of intimidation against the Court and its officials. Likewise, we are concerned by the recent cyberattack, aimed to disrupt the functionality and the security of the Court”, said the Italian Ambassador, Maurizio Massari.
The Permanent Representative stressed also Italy’s concern about the challenges that the Court continues to face in relation to its requests for cooperation, and recalled the obligations incumbent upon States Parties to cooperate fully with the Court in the investigation and prosecution of crimes within its jurisdiction. Non-States Parties are under an obligation to cooperate fully with the Court in those situations referred to the Court by the UN Security Council.
Looking ahead, the universalization of the Rome Statute remains a critical factor in the fight against impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes, argued Massari. Closing the “universality gap”, including on the crime of aggression through the ratification of the Kampala amendments, is key to bridging the “accountability gap”. (@OnuItalia)
