In her opening remarks, Ms. Mónica Adame, PGA Secretary-General, underscored the role of parliamentarians in supporting the ICC and international justice. “PGA serves as an antidote to polarization,” she emphasized, advocating for cross-party dialogue and respect for human rights. Ms. Adame encouraged delegates to use the CAP-ICC to strengthen solidarity and share lessons on combating impunity and protecting human dignity.

Senator Sherry Rehman (Pakistan), Chairperson of PGA Pakistan, delivered an address on the state of multilateralism, criticizing the “double standards” in international justice. Noting that “impunity erodes the multilateral order,” she urged attendees to advocate for a global legal framework that ensures accountability and peace for all, as promoting global justice is a collective responsibility.

Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan) and President of PGA, highlighted the unique role of PGA in uniting parliamentarians globally, noting that “each person who signs the membership commits themselves to the greater good of humanity.” Hon. Qamar urged delegates to utilize the CAP-ICC as a platform to learn from each other, discuss the ICC’s achievements and challenges, and contribute meaningfully to human rights. “What can I do today to make this a better world for my people?” he asked, calling for action on issues from climate change to local advocacy for marginalized groups.

Hon. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, stressed the broad responsibility of MPs, extending beyond legislation to the well-being of each member of their constituencies. He highlighted the role of MPs in addressing humanitarian crises, urging fellow legislators to “raise voices and unite against atrocities.” Hon. Sadiq also pointed to the devastating effects of climate change, referencing the catastrophic 2022 floods in Pakistan as an example of the urgent need for international climate action. “Our main goal,” he stated, “is to bring these issues home, to follow up in our parliaments on global challenges and humanitarian crises that continue to escalate.”

H.E. Päivi Kaukoranta, President of the Assembly of States Parties, emphasized the urgency of achieving the universality of the Rome Statute, noting that “the legitimacy and efficiency of the Court depend on the breadth of its support.” She highlighted the milestone of Ukraine’s recent ratification, bringing the total to 125 member states as of January 2025, but stressed the need for continued efforts to further expand ICC’s reach. H.E. Kaukoranta underlined the important role of national parliaments in shaping the Court’s future and called on them to integrate the Rome Statute’s provisions into national laws to enable local prosecution of international crimes, strengthening the principle of complementarity.

Mr. Matias Hellman, Acting Head of Outreach at the ICC Registry, reflected on the ICC’s growth since its inception, noting its expanding jurisdiction, with 17 investigations across four continents. He underscored the ICC’s deterrent effect, arguing that “having a credible avenue of accountability does matter” to prevent future atrocities. For the ICC to reach its full potential, Mr. Hellman called on States Parties and parliamentarians to champion global support, stating that “relentless, forceful advocacy” is essential for building a truly global system of justice.

Mr. Cheikh Fall, Associate Legal Officer at the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the ICC, emphasized the crucial role of reparations in justice. He outlined the TFV’s work, including over 30 projects benefiting 70,000 victims across conflict-affected countries, and urged lawmakers to back reparation efforts. “Justice becomes an integral part,” Mr. Fall emphasized, urging parliamentarians to advocate for the necessary funding and engagement to support the TFV’s work.

Panel 1 examined the critical need for a global commitment to the Rome Statute’s principles and becoming a party to the ICC’s jurisdiction. Hon. Syed Naveed Qamar, MP (Pakistan) and President of PGA, stressed parliamentarians’ duty to advocate for the ICC within national legislatures to expand its reach. One of the key actors behind the recent deposit of the instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine, Dr. Galyna Mykhailiuk, MP (Ukraine), stressed the role of the ICC and other international criminal justice mechanisms in complementing domestic criminal processes in her country to guarantee justice and accountability for the ongoing commission of international crimes in her country. Dr. Angela Brown Burke, MP (Jamaica) and member of PGA Executive Committee, described her country’s ongoing years-long efforts to ratify the Rome Statute despite political challenges and outlined the next steps that need to be taken to advance the process effectively. Hon. António Niquice, MP (Mozambique) and member of PGA Executive Committee, shared the challenges encountered by his country, including of economic and security nature, and stressed the importance of ratifying the Rome Statute in such contexts, because of the genuine protection the ICC can offer to ensure that peace and justice prevail. Reflecting on powerful nations’ hesitance to join the ICC, Senator Sherry Rehman (Pakistan), Chairperson of PGA Pakistan National Group, noted that “with great power comes great responsibility.” Closing the list of panelists’ interventions, Dr. Abdillahi Abib, MP (Somalia), detailed the current efforts deployed by Somalian parliamentarians to engage in the ratification process of the Rome Statute, which offers an opportunity for improving the rule of law in the country, the context of which remains particularly difficult.

Following up on the topic of universality from a global perspective, Panel 2 discussed regional perspectives on the Rome Statute implementation. Dip. Ramón Barrios (Honduras) shared insights from Central America, describing the ICC as an essential tool for safeguarding human rights in Honduras, especially when national authorities fail to serve this role effectively. Emphasizing that “the ICC cannot substitute national jurisdiction,” he underscored the need for robust national mechanisms to prosecute serious crimes. Sen. Azam Nazeer Tarar, MP (Pakistan) emphasized a global approach to address shared issues, from climate change to conflict. He advocated for national reforms that align with the Rome Statute standards, urging parliamentarians worldwide to push for justice reforms within their legislative frameworks. Hon. Fox Odoi-Oywelowo, MP (Uganda) highlighted Africa’s complex relationship with the ICC, where some leaders view the Court as disproportionately focused on African cases. In addition to rebutting the perception, he also stressed that “crimes against humanity, genocide, and war crimes demand universal support for the ICC.” Dip. Margarita Stolbizer (Argentina) echoed these sentiments, urging parliamentarians to build trust in the ICC by aligning national laws with its standards, while offering an overview of the content of an effective implementing legislation.

Panel 3 emphasized the crucial role of the ICC’s independence in combatingimpunity. Lord Alexander Carlile (UK) highlighted the necessity of judicial standards and prosecutorial processes to remain uncompromised. Senator Fatimazhra Belhirch (The Netherlands) emphasized that “political interference undermines justice,” urging parliamentarians to defend the ICC’s autonomy against political pressures, especially from powerful nations, including from the threat of sanctions in response to the ICC’s recent arrest warrants. She stressed that the ICC’s mandate extends beyond prosecution, as it aims at protecting human rights and preventing future atrocities, thereby requiring adequate funding and universal support for its success and effectiveness.

Hon. Sher Ali Arbab, MP (Pakistan) advocated for impartiality in international justice, highlighting the ICC’s uneven pace and selective actions, which he argued can erode public trust. He pointed to crises in Palestine and Africa, asserting that “injustice is injustice, no matter the region.” Hon. Julieta Kavetuna, MP (Namibia) echoed the appeal for universal justice, warning against selective application of human rights standards. She called for a justice system that addresses atrocities equally across the globe to prevent division among nations.

The first day of the CAP-ICC concluded with the PGA Defender of Democracy Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Honorable Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. The prestigious 2024 Defender of Democracy Award was awarded to Ms. Hina Jilani from Pakistan and the Honorable Fawzia Koofi from Afghanistan, recognizing their outstanding contributions to defending democracy, peace and human rights. Ms. Hina Jilani and Hon. Fawzia Koofi exemplify resilience and leadership in promoting justice and equality worldwide.

Ms. Hina Jilani, a renowned lawyer and civil society activist, established the first all-women law firm and legal aid center in Pakistan in 1986. She has championed the rights of vulnerable communities and co-founded the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. As the UN's first Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders in 2000, she worked globally to strengthen protections for activists.

Hon. Fawzia Koofi, a prominent Afghan politician, has dedicated her career to women’s rights, serving as the first female deputy speaker of the Afghan National Assembly. Despite threats from the Taliban, she continued her advocacy after fleeing Afghanistan, launching a global campaign in 2023 with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi to end gender apartheid in Iran and Afghanistan.

Delivering his words of appreciation, Honorable Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan, emphasized that “these two very brave women have been fighting against all odds in their own countries. We honor them tonight for all that they have stood for, and all that they have struggled for. I hope that they become an inspiration for more young parliamentarians and those who are aspiring to be parliamentarians.”

Day 2 of the CAP-ICC opened with Panel 4 centered on effective domestic and multilateral cooperation in fighting the impunity, introducing The Ljubljana- The Hague Convention as a framework for cross-border legal assistance in the investigation and prosecution of international crimes. Ms. Quirien van Straelen from the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security presented the Convention as a “milestone” for justice, facilitating joint investigations and evidence-sharing. Dip. Esther Cuesta (Ecuador) emphasized the urgent need for the adoption of legal frameworks that allow national systems to cooperate with the ICC effectively. She highlighted Ecuador’s recent legislative achievement, whereby, on 14 March 2024, the National Assembly unanimously adopted the law on cooperation with the ICC. She underscored laws promoting effective cooperation are vital to preventing impunity for international crimes, especially in regions facing severe human rights violations.

Hon. Abdoulie Ceesay, MP (The Gambia) discussed his country’s recent ratification of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act of 2023, which enhances cooperation with other nations to prosecute human rights violations. He noted that international partnerships strengthen the protection of victims and witnesses, helping to “prevent future atrocities.” Mr. Bilal Azhar Kayani, MP (Pakistan) outlined his country’s support for the existing international legal frameworks and instruments for justice, subject to a condition that they are non-selective, impartial, truly independent, fair, and free from subordination of political interests.

Panel 5 brought forward the perspective of survivors and victims of sexual and gender-based violence. Ms. Mehtab Akbar Rashi, MP (Pakistan), pointed out the insufficient attention paid by the international community to sexual and gender-based crimes and emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure accountability. She underscored the role of the ICC as a central pillar in prosecuting such crimes and called for universal ratification, along with amendments to existing laws to strengthen national jurisdiction and enable effective prosecution. Ms. Roseby Gadama, MP (Malawi), shared alarming statistics on sexual and gender-based violence, highlighting that “one in two women in Malawi experience violence.” She discussed the Parliamentary Women Caucus’ Strategic Plan and initiatives such as the “Back to School Campaign” aimed at reintegrating young girls affected by sexual and gender-based violence, stressing the need for legal reform and community awareness. Hon. Mariam Solaimankhail, MP in exile (Afghanistan), depicted the harsh and tragic reality for women under Taliban rule, stating: “violence against women is a deliberate system of erasure.” Ms. Maryna Bardina, MP (Ukraine), discussed the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, while welcoming the introduction of an interim law for reparations for victims in the Ukrainian context. Hon. Lorraine Nxumalo, MP (Eswatini), addressed cultural challenges and advocated for stronger legal frameworks, urging her government to declare sexual and gender-based violence a “national crisis.”

Panel 6 served as a platform for PGA Afghani members in exile as well as international experts to share their testimonies on the ongoing human rights violations by the Taliban, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and protection of women’s rights. Hon. Sher Ali Arbab, MP (Pakistan) voiced concerns about selective justice and emphasized the necessity to hold perpetrators accountable. Hon. Zohra Nawrozi, MP in exile (Afghanistan) expressed her regrets that “many countries have forgotten about” Afghanistan and called for stronger engagement from the international community. Hon. Fawzia Koofi, Defender of Democracy Award recipient and MP in exile (Afghanistan), stressed the importance of protecting democratic processes. She noted that “everybody talks about human rights in Afghanistan, but no one acts” and called on Pakistan to continue its efforts to welcome Afghan women and girls, including by facilitating educational opportunities.

Ms. Christine Chung, Human Rights Officer at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the ongoing systematic gender persecution in Afghanistan, and provided an outlook of the current judicial processes to bring accountability, including the case before the International Court of Justice for gender discrimination. Hon. Nazifa Yousufi Bek, MP in exile (Afghanistan), called for international support to hold the Taliban accountable, declaring, “this is the time to take action for the people of Afghanistan, especially our women.” Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab discussed the potential for recognizing gender apartheid within the Rome Statute, advocating for urgent actions to address these international crimes.

Panel 7 looked ahead to the future of international criminal justice in light of current global crises and challenges. In her video statement, Ms. Marie Toussaint, MEP (France), advocated for the recognition of ecocide as a crime under international law. She emphasized that significant environmental damage occurs not only during conflicts but also in peacetime, resulting in devastating impacts on both human beings and ecosystems while impunity persists. She highlighted the EU’s commitment to incorporating ecocide into the environmental crimes directive of the European Parliament and of the Council and stressed the need for global acknowledgment of this critical issue. Hon. Oliver Bamenju Agho, MP (Cameroon) discussed the historical evolution of international criminal justice and its current challenges, noting that “the future of international criminal justice becomes a subject of utmost importance.” He stressed the need for enhanced cooperation to combat transnational crimes such as human trafficking and cybercrime.

Mr. Ali Ehsassi, MP (Canada), reaffirmed the significance of the ICC as a global mechanism for accountability and discussed the ongoing drafting process of the Convention on Crimes against Humanity at the 6^th Committee at the United Nations General Assembly. Mr. Cheikh Fall, Associate Legal Officer at the TFV, highlighted the importance of addressing victims’ needs, asserting, “the ICC is not only about prosecuting and convicting; it’s also about the reparations for victims.” Finally, Hon. Consilia Chinanzvavana, MP (Zimbabwe) called for justice among nations, while Barrister Aqeel Malik, MP (Pakistan) urged a regional perspective in engagement with international justice efforts.