EU welcomes Inauguration of the ICC

The European Commission warmly welcomes the inauguration today of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. On this occasion, the Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten, stated: "The inauguration of the International Criminal Court is a historic achievement, perhaps the most significant development in international law since the creation of the United Nations. This landmark has been made possible by the joint efforts of governments, international organisations and civil society world-wide. The Court brings hope for the thousands of victims who have suffered in the past from atrocities over which the Court will have jurisdiction: crimes against Humanity, genocide and war crimes. The Court sends a powerful message to any potential perpetrator of such crimes: impunity has ended."

The EU's commitment to the ICC is reflected in its Common Position and Action Plan of 2002 and in the Council Conclusions and Guiding Principles adopted in September 2002 in relation to US demands for bilateral agreements regarding the surrender of individuals to the ICC. In line with the EU's positive stance, the European Commission has strongly supported efforts to make the ICC a reality. Since 1995, the European Commission has channelled around €13 million to a wide range of activities in support of the ICC through the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR).

An important aspect has been the reinforcement of NGO efforts across the globe. The EIDHR has, for example, supported the work of the NGO Coalition for an International Criminal Court which draws together around 1,000 organisations in fighting for the ratification of the Rome Statute and putting in place the requisite knowledge and training to ensure that the ICC functions as effectively as possible. Other support has been focused at the regional level. This has included funding for an Asian Regional Campaign to promote the ICC and publicity campaigns and workshops in Eastern Europe targeted at government officials, teachers, judges, lawyers and members of the armed forces. As a complement to diplomatic efforts by the EU to ensure the maximum number of signatures and ratifications of the Rome Statute, EC-funded projects have sought to raise awareness amongst key actors, with concerted lobbying of parliamentarians and members of government in third countries. Recognising that signature and ratification are only first steps, projects have also tackled the difficulties of implementing commitments in the legal systems of third countries.

International justice and the ICC remains one of the four major priorities for the EIDHR. The European Commission will continue to offer concrete assistance for efforts to bolster the work of the ICC and to ensure that it is strong enough to withstand the challenges, which it will undoubtedly face.

For further information:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/external_relations/human_rights/intro/index.htm International Criminal Court

http://www.un.org/law/icc
Coalition for an International Criminal Court-Election of ICC Judges

http://www.iccnow.org

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• Inaugural ceremony of ICC (11/3/2003)
• EU Presidency declaration on the ICC (10/3/2003)