On 22 May 2026, H.E. Álvaro Enrique González Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay to the Netherlands, together with Judge Tomoko Akane, President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), unveiled the sculpture "El Tótem de la Tribu Humana" (The Totem of the Human Tribe) at the ICC headquarters in The Hague, The Netherlands. The artwork, created by renowned Uruguayan artist Roberto Vivo, was donated by the Government of Uruguay to the ICC.
The sculpture, previously exhibited at the Venice International Art Biennale, celebrates fraternity, diversity, and international justice. It invites reflection on the pursuit of peace for the benefit of humanity as a whole.
Judge Tomoko Akane, ICC President, stated: "The Human Tribe Totem is particularly fitting for the International Criminal Court because it speaks to our shared humanity. Its symbolism reminds us that the ICC was created not for the interests of any single nation or region, but for humanity as a whole. At a time when conflicts and human suffering continue to make headlines, this artwork serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of solidarity, accountability, and the rule of law. It reminds us that justice is not an abstract principle, but a responsibility shared by all nations and peoples."
H.E. Álvaro Enrique González Otero, Ambassador of Uruguay, said: "If there is one place where this idea acquires concrete meaning, it is precisely here, at the International Criminal Court. An institution that represents the collective effort of States to affirm that, beyond geographical, cultural, political and/or religious differences, there exist fundamental values that must be safeguarded through law and justice. In a complex global context, marked by conflicts and growing challenges to the multilateral system, the existence of this Court reaffirms that international justice is not merely an abstract aspiration, but rather a tangible commitment of the international community. The Rome Statute, whose entry into force in 2002 marked a milestone in the evolution of international law, gave shape to this unique forum - a space in which States agree to submit themselves to common rules, in the conviction that justice strengthens peace, stability, and international coexistence. Uruguay firmly supported that process from its inception and fully incorporated the provisions of the Statute into its domestic legal order through comprehensive legislation, thereby reaffirming its historic commitment to international criminal law and to the fight against impunity."
Since the move to its new permanent premises in December 2015, the ICC received artwork donations from the Governments of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Japan, Republic of Korea, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Slovenia, and Tunisia, representing their cultural heritage as well as reflecting the mandate of the Court.
