Earlier this month, our TakeAction email discussed the ongoing investigation into the situation in Afghanistan by the International Criminal Court and it’s relationship to Canada.

In response to the virulent reaction to the Court’s investigation by the US, the president of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC, O-Gon Kwon, released a brief but strong statement that said, in part, “I reaffirm our full confidence in the Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution and reiterate our strong commitment to uphold and defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute and to preserve its integrity undeterred by any threats against the Court. I express our deep concern over threats against Court officials, staff and their families.”

Further, the statement explained that “one of the cornerstones of the Rome Statute system is that it recognizes the primary jurisdiction of States to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes. As a court of last resort, the ICC is complementary to national jurisdictions.”