London, 7 August 2023
The United Kingdom, Costa Rica, Italy and Japan have issued a joint statement following the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.
We, the Permanent Representatives of Costa Rica, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom, as States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, collectively express our deep concern over the criminal procedure by the Russian Federation authorities against Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan and Judges of the Court: Sergio Gerardo Ugalde Godínez, Rosario Salvatore Aitala, and Tomoko Akane.
The Court represents the commitment of its States Parties to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole. It is regrettable that Russia continues its attempt to undermine the mandate of the Court, and we reiterate our unwavering commitment to stand firmly by the Court, its officials and personnel, as well as those cooperating with it, together with other States Parties.
We once again reaffirm our full confidence in the Court as an independent and impartial court of law, and renew our resolve to defend the principles and values enshrined in the Rome Statute, preserving the Court’s integrity undeterred by any threats.