Kampala Review Conference a milestone in the history of international criminal law

The States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) are gathering today in Kampala, Uganda, to take stock of the progress of the Court. “This is a milestone in the history of international criminal law,” commented Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.  

Over the next 14 days, the States Parties will review the Rome Statute. This is the first review conference since the Rome Statute – the ICC’s founding treaty – entered into force in 2002. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre today delivered Norway’s statement, during the general debate. 

“The conference confirms that the ICC, the only permanent international criminal court, is well under way with its work, and the administration of international criminal justice has entered a new phase now that we have a permanently functioning court,” said Mr Støre.  

In his statement, Mr Støre attached particular importance to the fight against impunity.  

“We don’t need any more evidence of how impunity can threaten peace and security in the long term. Impunity can often breed new violence, and we have a shared obligation to combat impunity for the most serious crimes,” Mr Støre said. 

The Kampala Review Conference will also provide an arena for stocktaking with regard to the status of international criminal law in 2010. 

“The fact that the conference is taking place in Uganda, one of the countries from which the cases the ICC is dealing with come, and that 111 States Parties, other states and civil society representatives are attending, gives us unique insight into the role of the ICC in the various societies,” Mr Støre commented.