Statement by the Political Coordinator, Minister-Counsellor Gustavo Sénéchal, in the Arria-formula meeting on the 25th Anniversary of the Rome Statute Adoption: The Contribution of the International Criminal Court to the Maintenance of International Peace and Security - July 18th, 2023

Madam Chair,

I thank Japan and Switzerland for organizing this Arria formula meeting. It provides us the opportunity to celebrate the 25 Anniversary of the Rome Statute and to reflect on the role the International Criminal Court may play for the maintenance of international peace and security. I also thank the briefers for their statements.

Brazil is a founding member of the International Criminal Court. We reiterate our commitment to uphold the founding principles of the Rome Statute.

Twenty-five years ago, we envisaged a permanent, independent, treaty-based international tribunal with the aim to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law.

Instead of the so-called "universal jurisdiction", unilaterally enforced by domestic courts, the idea was to establish an international tribunal based on a treaty that could achieve universal ratification.

Instead of "ad hoc" tribunals established according to the circumstances, a permanent court, agreed upon in a nonretroactive treaty.

Madam Chair,

We, the founding members, designed in Rome the project of a permanent, impartial and treaty-based tribunal. This is the identity of the International Criminal Court. The ICC may give an important contribution to international peace and security when sticking to the objects and purposes of the Rome Statute.

There is no sustained peace without justice for victims. The ICC, as a permanent tribunal, has the potential to deliver not only restorative but also reparative justice, based not on revenge, but on the rule of law. Its mere existence and well functioning should act as a powerful prevention against crimes under international law.

Brazil remains committed to the universality of the International Criminal Court, which should be achieved through adherence of all States to the Rome Statute.

The cooperation among states parties to the Rome Statute remains of the ultimate importance to ensure justice for the most serious crimes.

Last, but not least, the importance of the ICC as an independent institution should not be underestimated. Only a permanent and impartial criminal court would be able to refrain from choosing sides in conflicts and addressing justice impartially.

Upholding the founding principles of the Rome Statute is of the essence to promote international peace and security through dialogue and cooperation.

In closing, Madam Chair,

Twenty-five years after the Rome Conference, Brazil reaffirms its faith in the fundamental principles that shall guide the activities of the ICC. We reiterate our deep-rooted commitment to international law and international justice and our support to a universal, permanent, independent and treaty-based international criminal court.

I thank you.