<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>Spain has joined the joint declaration signed by almost 80 countries, which do not include Italy or Hungary, in defence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the attacks of the President of the United States, Donald Trump.</strong></h4> “We, the undersigned States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reaffirm our continued and unwavering support for the independence, impartiality, and integrity of the ICC,” which “serves as a vital pillar of the international justice system by ensuring accountability for the most serious international crimes, and justice for victims,” the declaration begins. Today, according to the signatories, “the Court is facing unprecedented challenges”. “Measures sanctioning the Court, its officials and staff, and those cooperating with it have been adopted in response to the Court carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Rome Statute,” the text adds, referring to Trump’s decision to impose sanctions against ICC staff in retaliation for arrest warrants issued against several senior Israeli officials. “Such measures increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes and threaten to erode the international rule of law, which is crucial for promoting global order and security. Moreover, sanctions could jeopardize the confidentiality of sensitive information and the safety of those involved—including victims, witnesses, and Court officials, many of whom are our nationals,” it adds. “Sanctions would severely undermine all situations currently under investigation as the Court may have to close its field offices. Advancing the ICC’s vital work serves our common interest in promoting accountability, as evidenced by the support provided to the Court by both States Parties and non-States Parties,” the manifesto says. “As strong supporters of the ICC, we regret any attempts to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring the ICC’s business continuity so that the Court can continue to carry out its functions effectively and independently,” the signatories say. “As we collectively strive to uphold international justice, we underscore the ICC’s indispensable role in ending impunity, promoting the rule of law, and fostering lasting respect for international law and human rights,” the text concludes. The declaration was signed by Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cape Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Jordan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Montenegro, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Moldova, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, State of Palestine, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
