Thank you, Madame Chair,
I thank Ireland for convening today’s Arria formula meeting, and we are pleased to have cosponsored the meeting. We joined the statement delivered by Mexico, but allow me, Madam Chair, to make few comments in my national capacity.
The briefers have given us an important overview of what has been achieved in the 20 years of the existence of the ICC.
I thank them for their insights and analyses.
I would like to commend the brave and independent work of Prosecutor Khan in this regard
The ICC is fundamental in delivering justice for atrocity crimes when national authorities are unable or unwilling to fight impunity. The previous and current Prosecutors have done excellent and diligent work in collecting, preserving evidence, and investigating crimes in Darfur, in Libya, and most recently in Ukraine.
Madame Chair,
International Courts must step in, when national systems fail, when gross violations of international law, humanitarian law and human rights are committed.. And justice has the power to prevent conflict and atrocities by deterring potential perpetrators.
It is for these reasons that Albania, together with 53 other countries, referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC enabling the Court to investigate immediately, collect proofs, engage, and protect witnesses, gather battlefield evidence for the atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine by Russian military.
Madame chair,
Accountability is not choice but a necessity to end the repetition of crimes and abuses in the future. None of us want to see horror scenes of Bucha, Mariupuol, Sebrenica or Racak replicated elsewhere.
Madame Chair,
The ICC and other International Courts must deliver justice and overcome the inaction of this Council which has failed completely in fulfilling one of its main responsibilities: maintaining peace and security. We are fully aware that ICC cannot operate in a vacuum if the full support of states is lacking, as the accountability and rule of law is fully functional when unconditional and full support of the state is provided unreservedly.
Only twice this Council has given the ICC the necessary support to act, while there are numerous other instances of atrocity crimes all over the world where the cries of the victims for justice remain unheard. This means that the Council has failed to uphold the UN Charter.
At a deeper level, the reason behind this is not only the lack of political will, but the reflection of this political will through the use of veto.
Madame Chair,
The recent landmark resolution of the General Assembly provides a direct mechanism for the General Assembly to take a stand on critical issues when the Security Council cannot act. It is a long-overdue step that has the potential to lead to more responsible use of the powers of the permanent members. It will also create more accountability within the Security Council itself.
We need to strengthen the ability and enable the SC to respond to the challenges and offer solutions to prevent gross violations of international law and humanitarian law by strengthening accountability for all violations of international criminal law.
Albania will continue to stand in supporting international law, ICC, ICJ, national judicial authorities, and other independent mechanisms in delivering international justice. In this regard, we urge all member states to join the Rome Statute and support the ICC in ensuring accountability and ending impunity.
Thank you.
