Press Release : 16 March 2018 | Español

ICC-ASP-20180316-PR1369

The President of the Assembly of States Parties, Mr. O-Gon Kwon (Republic of Korea), has expressed concern in response to the announcement that President Rodrigo Duterte has taken steps for the Philippines to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the International Criminal Court ("ICC").

"I regret this development. A State Party withdrawing from the Rome Statute would negatively impact our collective efforts towards fighting impunity", said President Kwon. "The ICC needs the strong support of the international community to ensure its effectiveness. I encourage the Philippines to remain as a party to the Rome Statute."

President Kwon recalled that the Philippines has participated actively in the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute since becoming a State Party in 2011, and as recently as December 2017 had publicly reaffirmed its support for the principles of the Rome Statute and the Court.

"All States Parties have the opportunity to voice their concerns before the Assembly, and I call on the authorities of the Philippines to engage in dialogue in this regard", President Kwon stated.

The Assembly of States Parties is the management oversight and legislative body of the ICC. It is comprised of representatives of States that have ratified and acceded to the Rome Statute. President Kwon was elected President of the Assembly for a three year mandate in December 2017.

For additional information please contact Mr. Renan Villacis at +31 70 799 6500 or via email at [email protected].