Secretary-General, in Video Message, Urges Universal Acceptance

 

of Amendment to Rome Statute on Crime of Aggression

 

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s video message to the Seminar on the Ratification and Implementation of the Kampala Amendments to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court:  “Turning the Kampala Amendments into Reality”, in Brdo, Slovenia, 15-16 May:

Your Excellency Karl Erjavec, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia; Your Excellency Ambassador Tiina Intelmann, President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute; Honourable Judge Song Sang-hyun, President of the International Criminal Court; Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

I am pleased to greet the participants in this important seminar.  I thank the Government and people of Slovenia for hosting.  I participated in the Kampala Review Conference and was gratified when States parties reached consensus on the definition of the crime of aggression. 

The States parties to the International Criminal Court have two clear goals:  universal acceptance of the Rome Statute, and the entry into force of the Kampala Amendments, in particular on the crime of aggression. 

I am convinced that both are achievable.

As depositary of multilateral treaties, I have received instruments of ratification and accession to the Rome Statute from 122 States.  Thirteen States, out of the 30 required for the Court’s jurisdiction, have deposited their instruments on the amendment on the crime of aggression.

I look forward to receiving more such instruments, including from States in Eastern Europe.  I will continue to use every opportunity to encourage Member States to show their commitment to the advance of international criminal justice. 

With one voice, we have said “no” to impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern.  We have demanded accountability for aggression — the most serious form of the illegal use of force.

I hope that the efforts made in Kampala will come to fruition.  I wish you productive discussions and reiterate the full support of the United Nations.

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For information media • not an official record