Justice ministers from member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are gathering in London today for a meeting aimed at supporting the court’s Ukraine investigation. Hosted by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, the meeting highlights the important role of the ICC as the court of last resort for serious crimes under international law. first two arrest warrants Issued by the court in the status of Ukraine. It should also be a platform to press Ukraine to join the ICC; While Ukraine has accepted the jurisdiction of the court, it has yet to become a full member of the court.
phenomenal show of support A welcome development for the ICC’s work in Ukraine. However, this contrasts sharply with more tacit support for the court’s work elsewhere, for example, in Palestine. disparity in responses The Court’s task of investigating serious crimes not only denies victims access to justice but also threatens the legitimacy of these responses and the wider international justice system.
Today’s discussions should ensure that the commitment to justice in Ukraine is part of a more consistent approach To support the court’s work in its mandate, as shared by Human Rights Watch letter to conference organizers,
We expect the issue of voluntary contributions to the Court to be part of today’s discussions and ICC members should consider it very carefully. The ICC is funded through an annual budget consisting of assessed contributions from member states. The Court’s framework makes clear that any voluntary contribution outside that budget must be exceptional. Such contributions are not a sustainable funding model and raise concerns About notions of politicization in court work. Although these contributions cannot be determined legally, several governments publicly are linked After his voluntary contribution to the work of the Court on Ukraine ICC prosecutor’s call Last year for additional resources. some of these governments over the years insisted on increasing the holding The minimum in the court’s annual budget despite its growing docket.
ICC member states should be clear in their commitment to a consistent approach in all situations before the Court, including strengthening the Court’s regular budget rather than relying on ad hoc contributions when political will and attention are high. Otherwise, they risk undermining the legitimacy of the ICC’s work and feeding false narratives of politicisation. Today, he has a chance to counter these narratives by demonstrating that his support for the ICC’s work on Ukraine extends to the court’s global mandate.