ICC Officially Welcomes Ukraine as 125th State Party to the Rome Statute
The International Criminal Court (ICC) officially welcomed Ukraine as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute during a formal ceremony at the Court’s headquarters in The Hague, The Gaze reports.
Marking Ukraine’s full accession to the ICC’s founding treaty, ICC President Judge Tomoko Akane presented Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Andriy Kostin, with a special edition of the Rome Statute as a symbol of the country’s commitment to international justice and the rule of law.
“By joining the Rome Statute, Ukraine joins the community of nations committed to ending impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community,” said Judge Akane during the ceremony.
Also present was the President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), H.E. Ms. Päivi Kaukoranta, who praised Ukraine’s decision to join the Court amid the ongoing war:
“The country’s path to joining the Rome Statute during such a difficult time shows remarkable resilience, courage and commitment to the rule of law. Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute symbolizes our shared commitment to the fight against impunity and principles underlying the International Criminal Court.”
Ambassador Kostin highlighted the symbolic power of Ukraine’s accession:
“Today we raise the flag of Ukraine here at the ICC as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute. Our flag is symbol of a nation that cherishes peace, justice, dignity, and freedom. It is also the flag of a people who have endured and continues to go through unimaginable hardship, but have never given up on the idea that law, not violence, must govern our shared world.”
The ceremony was attended by ICC judges, representatives of the Office of the Prosecutor, the Registry, the Trust Fund for Victims, and diplomats from ICC member states.
Ukraine formally ratified the Rome Statute on 25 October 2024, and the treaty entered into force for the country on 1 January 2025. Ukraine is now the 20th Eastern European nation to join the ICC.
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