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Informal Ministerial Network (IMN) for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

21.09.2023

Informal Ministerial Network (IMN) for the International Criminal Court (ICC)

21 September 2023

Thank you Ms Dominique Hasler, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liechtenstein for organizing the annual meeting of the IMN and Prosecutor Mr Karim Khan and Registrar Mr Osvaldo Zavala Giler for your briefings. I am particularly happy and honoured to participate at this network meeting for the first time.

Today, sadly, we again have to talk about Ukraine. Estonia is grateful to the ICC and the prosecutor for its tireless work despite Russia's accusations. The ICC has made good progress since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine by swiftly opening the investigation in the Situation in Ukraine and by issuing arrest warrants to Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. We deeply deplore the reaction of Russian authorities towards the ICC, its judges and officials when issuing their arrest warrants. This is a new attempt to undermine the role and mandate of the ICC. Estonia stands firmly by the ICC. We reiterate our commitment to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute and to preserve the Court's independence against any external pressure or threats.

I also want to talk about the crime of aggression. The Rome Statute has significant jurisdictional restrictions in ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression. We need to tackle it both for the future by reviewing the Rome Statute and Kampala amendments, but also for Ukraine.

Russia's political and military leadership should be held accountable for the crime of aggression. We need to establish a special tribunal with the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy. We should not let the Troika commit the crime of aggression and hide behind personal immunities. We need a solution that would be in accordance with Ukraine's wishes and the world order we want to live in. The special tribunal would work in close cooperation with the ICC.

This year the Assembly of State Parties will elect 6 judges of the ICC. State Parties have nominated many good candidates. Estonia has nominated Mr Andres Parmas. We are convinced that his more than 20 years of experience in criminal and international law at national and international level makes him an excellent candidate and he would make an immediate and important contribution to the judicial work of the ICC. I humbly ask for your kind support to him at the elections.

Estonia is committed to cooperate to further the work of the ICC and strengthen the system of international criminal law in bringing justice to the world.

Thank you!