(New York, New York, February 7, 2025) – St.Kitts and Nevis are amongst a cross-regional group of 79 State Parties of the International Criminal Court, that have endorsed a Joint Statement in support of the International Criminal Court issued on February 7, 2025, a day after the United States announced potential sanctions against the International Criminal Court’s officials, employees and their families.
According to Permanent Representative of St.Kitts and Nevis to the United Nations, H.E. Dr. Mutryce Williams, “St.Kitts and Nevis is pleased to endorse this joint statement and stand up for the rule of law, in support of the International Criminal Court, which serves a critical role, in upholding the international criminal justice system.”
The joint statement reads,
We, the undersigned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC. The Court serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims.
Today, the Court is facing unprecedented challenges. Measures sanctioning the Court, its officials and staff, and those cooperating with it [have been] adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute.
Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security. Moreover, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved—including victims, witnesses, and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals.
Sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the Court may have to close its field offices. Advancing the ICC’s vital work serves our common interest in promoting accountability, as evidenced by the support provided to the Court by both States Parties and non-States Parties.
As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring the ICC’s business continuity so that the Court can continue to carry out its functions effectively and independently.
As we collectively strive to uphold international justice, we underscore the ICC’s indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights.
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