Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. JST Belgium. (25.06.2025)

59^th Session of the Human Rights Council

Joint Statement on behalf of a group of State Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Item 3 - Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.

25 june 2025

Madam Special Rapporteur,

As States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, we uphold that the Court, its officials and staff shall carry out their professional duties without intimidation. In this regard, we are deeply concerned about the latest sanctions against 4 judges of the court, in addition to the sanctions against the prosecutor, or any threats and attacks in general against the Court, its elected officials, other personnel and those cooperating with it.

We firmly reject these regrettable attempts to undermine the judicial independence of the Court and the integrity of the Rome Statute system. In line with the 06 June 2025 press release of the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties we reconfirm our unwavering support for the Court, its officials, and all those who contribute to the fulfilment of its judicial mandate. 

The ICC, as the world's first and only permanent international criminal court, is a cornerstone of international justice. We therefore call on all States to ensure full cooperation with the Court for it to carry out its mandate of ensuring equal justice for all victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression, grave crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.

On behalf of :