Strong signal of support for the International Criminal Court

Switzerland is convinced that the worst violations of human rights and international humanitarian law must be punished. It believes that lasting peace is only possible once issues from the past have been thoroughly clarified, in particular once the perpetrators of crimes are brought to justice. To this end, Switzerland launched a ministerial declaration within the framework of the High-Level segment of the United Nations General Assembly which has been signed by 24 ministers.

The declaration states that the fight against impunity must be pursued more consistently, national justice systems must be strengthened, and more states must be convinced of the importance of the ICC. Furthermore, the ICC must become a stronger and more efficient institution, and the UN must resolutely support it. Justice for victims must be a central priority. With this in mind, in January 2013, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) called on the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the ICC. This initiative has been signed by 58 states and remains on the table.

The declaration on the ICC was adopted within the framework of the Informal Ministerial Network for the ICC, to which the head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, belongs. It is made up of a group of ministers especially committed to the promotion of international criminal justice. The network was established in 2012 by Liechtenstein.

The ICC is a permanent institution based in The Hague with the mandate to try alleged perpetrators of the worst crimes. Such crimes include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and in the future the crime of aggression. The ICC was established on the basis of the Rome Statute, to which 122 states have acceded to date. Switzerland ratified the statute in 2001 and since then has strongly supported the ICC. Currently, Switzerland provides one of the vice-presidents of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute.

Further information:

International criminal justice
Informal Ministerial Network for the ICC on Twitter (@MinistersforICC)

Address for enquiries:

Information FDFA
Bundeshaus West
CH-3003 Bern
Tel.: +41 58 462 31 53
Fax: +41 58 464 90 47
E-Mail: info@eda.admin.ch

Publisher:

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs