17th July - World Day for International Justice

Today, on July 17, 2023, we mark World Day for International Justice. This day commemorates the historic adoption of the Rome Statute on July 17, 1998, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is an independent international court that investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.

The adoption of the Rome Statute was a major milestone in the fight against impunity for these crimes. The ICC is the first permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute these crimes, and it has the potential to bring justice to victims and deter future perpetrators.

Since its establishment in 2002, the ICC has opened investigations in 13 situations, including in Darfur, Sudan; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and the Central African Republic. The Court has also issued arrest warrants for 45 individuals, including former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

While the ICC has made significant progress in the fight against impunity, there is still much work to be done. The Court is facing a number of challenges, including a lack of cooperation from some States Parties, limited resources, and political interference.

On this World Day for International Justice, we call on all States Parties to the Rome Statute to fully cooperate with the ICC and to provide the Court with the resources it needs to carry out its work. We also call on the international community to support the ICC and help ensure that it is able to bring justice to victims of the most serious crimes.

Theme for 2023:

The theme for World Day for International Justice 2023 is "Speaking truth to power requires allies like you." This theme highlights the importance of civil society in supporting the work of the ICC. Civil society organizations play a vital role in raising awareness of the Court's work, providing support to victims, and advocating for justice.

How you can get involved:

There are many ways you can get involved in World Day for International Justice. You can:

• Learn more about the ICC and its work.
• Contact your government representatives and urge them to support the ICC.
• Get involved in a civil society organization that is working to support the ICC.
• Donate to the ICC's Trust Fund for Victims.

Together, we can make a difference.

On this World Day for International Justice, let us recommit ourselves to the fight against impunity and to the pursuit of justice for victims of the most serious crimes. Together, we can make a difference.