Progress for universality amidst challenges: Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute and all its amendments while the ICC faces threats
The past six months have marked a significant milestone in advancing universal application of international criminal justice, with Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute. This long-awaited achievement, realized on 25 October, was made possible thanks to the dedication of Ukrainian parliamentarians, and to the continued commitment of PGA members, who adopted the Law Ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its Amendments.
While this landmark decision is a cause for celebration and a vital step toward strengthening international justice, PGA remains deeply concerned about ongoing attacks and threats against the ICC, which undermine its very existence. As reported in the previous update, PGA firmly believes in the essential role of parliamentarians in safeguarding and upholding international justice. Now more than ever, it is imperative to mobilize parliamentarians worldwide to show support and solidarity with the ICC. PGA calls on parliamentarians to sign and share the Global Parliamentary Declaration in Support of the ICC, emphasizing that any threats, political pressure, or sanctions against the Court and its officials directly attack the principles of international justice.
In this 10th edition, you will find:
On 21 August, in a successful momentum for international justice, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law Ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and its Amendments. PGA celebrated this long-awaited decision, which reflects Ukraine’s commitment to strengthening accountability efforts for international crimes and enables its fully participation in the Rome Statute system. The instrument of ratification was deposited on 25 October, and as of 1 January 2025, Ukraine officially became the 125th State Party to the ICC. PGA commends the dedicated parliamentarians and PGA members whose tireless efforts have culminated in this critical achievement. The Secretariat remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s full implementation of the Rome Statute and its amendments in its domestic legislation.
On 28-29 October, PGA gathered 80 participants from around the world – including 55 parliamentarians, ICC officials, academics, and civil society leaders – for the 45th Annual Forum and 13th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rule of Law (CAP-ICC), in Islamabad, Pakistan. Discussions focused on upholding international justice, advancing universality and domestic implementation of the Rome Statute, and fostering international cooperation. Parliamentarians shared best practices and challenges, offering diverse regional perspectives. Participants also voiced their concerns about escalating violent conflicts, humanitarian crises, and violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws around the world. They discussed the urgency for greater accountability regarding sexual and gender-based violence, addressed the ongoing atrocities and systemic persecution of women in Afghanistan, and emphasized the need for environmental protection. At the conclusion of the CAP-ICC, parliamentarians adopted the Islamabad Plan of Action for International Justice, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening the Rome Statute system, and calling States Parties to comply with their international legal obligations, while enhancing national legal frameworks to promote international justice.
On this occasion, PGA presented the 2024 Defender of Democracy Award to Ms. Hina Jilani, a renowned Pakistani lawyer and civil society activist, and Hon. Fawzia Koofi, a fierce Afghan advocate for women’s rights. The award was granted during a high-level ceremony hosted by Hon. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan. Ms. Mónica Adame, Secretary-General of PGA, Senator Sherry Rehman, Chairperson of the PGA Pakistan National Group, and Hon. Millie Odhiambo, a Member of Parliament from Kenya and PGA Executive Committee Member, celebrated the significant contributions of Ms. Jilani and Hon. Koofi in promoting human rights, justice, sustainable peace, equality, and democracy in their countries.
On 5 November, one year after the Republic of Armenia formally deposited its instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute, PGA participated in a roundtable discussion on “Armenia and the ICC: What’s Next After Ratifying the Rome Statute?” with the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), the Civil Society Institute, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), the Europe in Law Association (ELA), and the Democracy Development Foundation (DDF). Dialogue explored pathways for the country to domestically implement the Rome Statute and strengthen its cooperation with the ICC as a step towards advancing both national and international accountability.
#NGOVoices @fidh_en, @csi_arm, @DemDevelopment, @EuropeinLaw, @ngos4justice & @PGAction brought experts together to discuss #Armenia’s next steps as an ICC State Party— strengthening cooperation, implementing the Rome Statute domestically, & advancing accountability.
— coalitionfortheicc (@ngos4justice) November 19, 2024
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On 22 November, progress was made toward a future Convention on Crimes Against Humanity, as delegations from the Sixth Committee of the United Nations unanimously approved the Draft Resolution on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. PGA welcomed this historic milestone since the adoption and implementation of the Convention would complement the Rome Statute of the ICC and reinforce the international justice framework. The support of parliamentarians in the upcoming preparations and formal negotiations by UN Member States beginning in 2026 will be crucial.
From 2-6 December, PGA member Hon. Julieta Kavetuna, MP (Namibia), and a delegation of parliamentarians from the Senate and the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo participated in the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) in The Hague. At this annual event, representatives of States, international organizations, and civil society came together to reflect on upholding international justice and strengthening the ICC amidst growing challenges, including coercive measures and threats against the Court. In collaboration with the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC), the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, PGA co-hosted a side event to address challenges in achieving the universality of the Rome Statute System, explore strategies to promote ratification and implementation, and identify pathways to strengthen the ICC’s role in delivering justice. Co-hosts and speakers, including the President of the ICC, the President of the ASP, representatives from Ukraine and Armenia, and parliamentarians, emphasized the need for increased ratification efforts of the Rome Statute and its amendments, the Agreement on Privileges and Immunities (APIC), the Starvation Amendment, and the Kampala Amendments.
Lastly, on 13 December, PGA paid tribute to Hon. Jim Leach, a former U.S. Representative from Iowa and President of PGA from 1991 to 1993, who passed away. Hon. Leach was an early advocate for international justice, championing the establishment of the ICC more than a decade before it came into existence. His commitment to accountability and the rule of law is an inspiration for parliamentarians worldwide.
It is, therefore, more urgent than ever to demonstrate solidarity with the Court and uphold the principles of democracy, justice, accountability, and the rule of law. Efforts to intimidate the Court and interfere with its independence and impartiality undermine the legitimacy, efficiency, and effectiveness of its mandate. PGA continues to urge parliamentarians around the world to sign and share the Global Parliamentary Declaration in Support of the ICC, which has now been endorsed by over 100 parliamentarians from more than 50 countries.
