The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has significantly ...

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has significantly contributed to ending impunity for gender-based crimes, and its Prosecutor has declared the issue of sexual violence to be one of the priorities of her work. Indeed, 18 of the persons currently accused in the Court's cases are charged with sexual crimes. Where national justice systems are unable to deliver justice, the ICC can play an important role pursuant to the principle of complementarity. It can also assist in domestic proceedings by providing information and evidence. The Court also provides direct assistance to victims on the ground through its Trust Fund for Victims, which Liechtenstein continues to support. Like other speakers before us in the debate, we remain of the view that the grave situation in Syria merits referral to the International Criminal Court by the Council.