On 1st December, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Lauma Paegļkalna addressed the plenary session of the 24th Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, attended by representatives from 125 countries. The session focused on strengthening the Court’s independence, the importance of international cooperation, and ensuring accountability for the gravest international crimes.
In her speech, Paegļkalna reaffirmed Latvia’s strong support for the ICC’s independence, stressing that the Court must operate free from external pressure and political influence, particularly amid cyberattacks, disinformation, and attempts to interfere with its work:
“We oppose any attempts to influence the operations of the International Criminal Court. The credibility of the international justice system depends on how consistently states fulfil their obligations, including cooperation in investigations and the execution of arrest warrants.”
The plenary also addressed challenges facing the Court, including some countries’ potential withdrawal from the Rome Statute, risks of sanctions against the ICC as an institution, and insufficient international cooperation. Paegļkalna emphasized that withdrawing from the system does not serve justice or victims. She also welcomed Ukraine as the 125th State Party to the Rome Statute.
Paegļkalna participated in a thematic discussion on accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, held within the Assembly. The discussion covered progress on the establishment of a Special Tribunal and the need to strengthen international mechanisms’ capacity to ensure accountability at the highest political and military levels.
“The crime of aggression undermines international security and strikes at the very foundations of international law. Establishing a Special Tribunal is a crucial step to ensure accountability at the political level where this crime is committed and to fill the legal gap that the ICC currently cannot fully address,” Paegļkalna stated.
Latvia in The Hague reaffirmed its commitment to continue providing political, legal, and practical support to international mechanisms ensuring that the crime of aggression against Ukraine is prosecuted at the international level and accountability is enforced. Supporting victims and strengthening the ICC are essential for a safer and more just international environment.
The ICC is the first permanent international court tasked with investigating and prosecuting the gravest international crimes — genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression. Established under the 1998 Rome Statute, the Court’s jurisdiction currently covers 125 States Parties, including Latvia. Its mission is to prevent impunity and deliver justice to victims when national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute these crimes.
