I would like to make the following statement today on behalf of the following Members of the Security Council that are States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC): Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and my own country, Mexico.
We thank ICC Prosecutor, Mr. Karim Khan, for presenting the 23nd report of his Office to the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Libya, in accordance with resolution 1970.
We support the Prosecutor’s reinvigorated approach and the development of a renewed strategy for action in relation to the Libya situation, which includes an updated investigative roadmap with four identified immediate-term investigative priorities: 2011 crimes; crimes committed in detention facilities; crimes related to military operations 2014 – 2020 and crimes against migrants. We also take note of the serious challenges faced by the Office of the Prosecutor which have been caused by the ongoing fluid political and security situation in Libya, and hope that cooperation with national authorities is strengthened and that the Prosecutor can visit Libya, as intended, as soon as possible as part of efforts aimed at bringing lasting peace, security, and inter-Libyan reconciliation.
We also recognize the support provided by United Nations Support Mission in Libya as well as processes conducted by national jurisdictions, and regional and national stakeholders including civil society. We reiterate that we will continue to comply with our cooperation obligations under the Rome Statute and encourage all States to fully support the Court in carrying out its important mandate of ensuring justice for the victims of the most serious crimes under international law.
Furthermore, we reconfirm our unwavering support for the Court as an independent, impartial, and judicial institution of last resort which anchors the system of justice for serious international crimes that is primarily based on the jurisdiction of national courts, which have the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute Rome Statute crimes based on the principle of complementarity.
We take note of the numerous and serious crimes towards the Libyan civilian population and migrants referred to in the 23rd report. Now more than ever, the ICC embodies our collective commitment to fight impunity for the most serious crimes under international law. By giving our full support to the Court and promoting its universal membership, we defend the progress we have made together towards an international order based on international law, of which international justice is an indispensable pillar.
Thank you.