The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, in response to steps taken by the Governments of Chad and Venezuela towards withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court ("ICC"), has taken note of the situation with concern.
The Presidency regrets these developments. Decisions by States Parties to disengage from the Rome Statute risk undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity. The ICC stands at the heart of the international system of accountability, and its effectiveness depends on sustained and unequivocal support from the international community. The pursuit of justice is strengthened through unity of purpose.
The Presidency calls on Chad and Venezuela to remain committed States Parties to the Rome Statute and to continue engaging constructively within the framework of the Assembly of States Parties. The Presidency reiterates that all States Parties are entitled to raise their concerns within the Assembly and encourages Chad and Venezuela to take part in a meaningful exchange on this matter.
The Presidency recalls that withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not relieve a State Party of obligations arising during the period in which it remained a Party to the Statute.
The Presidency further recalls that Chad and Venezuela have contributed to the collective work of the Assembly of States Parties in support of the International Criminal Court as an independent and impartial judicial institution.
The Assembly of States Parties is the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC. It is composed of representatives of States that have ratified and acceded to the Rome Statute. The Presidency of the Assembly is currently composed of President Päivi Kaukoranta (Finland) and Vice-Presidents Michael Imran Kanu (Sierra Leone) and Margareta Kassangana (Poland).
