STATEMENT BY
H.E. DR. MICHAEL IMRAN KANU
AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE
President,
At a time when international law is severely under constrain, with blatant violations particularly of international humanitarian law in ongoing conflicts of international concern, Sierra Leone welcomes the debate, on the basis of the 2004 Relationship Agreement between the United Nations and the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “Court”), on the Report of the Court, the only permanent international criminal court within our current evolving system of international criminal justice, and at the forefront to ensure accountability and justice for the countless victims.
We aligned this statement with the statement delivered by Uganda on behalf of the African Group.
I take this opportunity to extend warm welcome to the President of the Court, Judge Tomoko Akane and thank her for the introduction of the report A/79/198. As I commend President Akane and the presidency of the Court for their exemplary leadership, I would also like to thank all the Court’s principals across various organs, and its officials for their tireless efforts in upholding justice and accountability for the most serious crimes under international law. Their unwavering commitment continues to promote global justice and the fight against impunity.
Sierra Leone reiterates its steadfast support for the Court and its crucial role in promoting justice, accountability, and the rule of law. We therefore condemn cyber and other attacks, sanctions, the threat of sanctions, intended to undermine the Court’s independence, integrity and impartiality, and ultimately obstruct justice. We decry threats of retaliation against the Court and its officials, acts including espionage and adverse media campaigns directed at the principals of the Court and its officials. We call on all States to respect the Court’s mandate and refrain from any interference that would impede its work.
President,
The report under review, covering the period from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024, ad noted by the report highlights a year of “unprecedented demand for […the Court’s] work in the form of investigations, pretrial proceedings, trials and appeals, as well as reparation programmes for victims”, and whereby the Court made “significant contributions to the global fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole”.
Sierra Leone remains deeply encouraged by the judicial and prosecutorial progress made during the year under review. We note with satisfaction the significant developments in several situations under the Court’s jurisdiction, including in Mali, Palestine, Ukraine and Uganda on reparations. In each of these cases, the Court has demonstrated its resolute commitment to holding perpetrators of the gravest crimes accountable, in line with its mandate under the Rome Statute.
Sierra Leone notably welcomes the conviction of Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Timbuktu, northern Mali; the issuance of reparations order in the case of Dominic Ongwen, who previously had been found guilty for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in northern Uganda; and the historic milestone in the finalized implementation of reparations in the Katanga case by the Trust Fund for Victims.
We take note of the three other ongoing trials of Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman with regard to the situation in Darfur; Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssonna; and Mahamat Said Abdel Kani with regard to the situation in the Central African Republic. We also take note of the confidential and other activities before the Court’s pretrial chambers, notably the ICC Prosecutor’s application for warrants of arrest before Pre-Trial Chamber I in the situation in the State of Palestine.
President,
Cooperation remains the cornerstone of the Court’s and Rome Statute system effectiveness. Sierra Leone strongly urges all States Parties and non-States Parties to extend full cooperation to the Court, particularly in facilitating investigations and enforcing arrest warrants.
As we have consistently emphasized, accountability for crime of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity can only be achieved through robust international cooperation, and for States Parties to comply with their treaty obligations. To achieve effective cooperation and Rome Statute System, complementarity must remain a key guiding principle, and Sierra Leone encourages all states to cooperate fully with the Court.
Sierra Leone strongly advocates for a victim-centered approach in the pursuit of justice and accountability. We believe that victims must be at the heart of the Court’s work. Their voices and needs should guide not only reparations but also broader efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.
Sierra Leone fully supports the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) and welcomes the historic reparations orders of the Court, which provide essential relief to victims of atrocity crimes. The recent reparations order in the Dominic Ongwen case highlights the importance of addressing victims’ needs. We commend the TFV’s efforts in delivering medical care, psychological support, and socioeconomic assistance to over 24,000 conflict-affected individuals.
Sierra Leone remains committed to supporting the TFV’s vital work. Accordingly, the Government of Sierra Leone is pleased to inform of the nomination of Mr. Ibrahim Sorie Yillah for re-election as a member of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for the Benefit of Victims, for the one seat allocated to African States, scheduled to be held in The Hague, from 2 to 7 December 2024.
Mr. Yillah, who is successfully serving as the Vice Chair of the Board in this historic period, including the strengthening of the Trust Fund for Victims to deliver on its important mandate, has the requisite competence, qualifications and experience to ensure his continuing valuable contributions in advancing the principles, objectives, and purpose of the Trust Fund. We look forward to the support of all States Parties in this important re-election bid.
President,
As I close, it is of significant to underscore that the relationship between the Court and the United Nations is one of mutual reinforcement. Sierra Leone recognizes the critical role that UN support plays in advancing the Court’s mission, especially in conflict zones. The logistical and operational assistance provided by the UN has been instrumental in the Court’s ability to investigate and prosecute the world’s most egregious crimes. Embodied in the 2004 Relationship Agreement, this partnership remains crucial in the global fight against impunity.
As we look to the future, Sierra Leone urges the international community to redouble its support for the Court. The Court’s work is essential for securing justice for victims, upholding the principles of international law, and maintaining global peace and security. We must continue to support an impartial and independent ICC in its pursuit of justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Rome Statute and to the broader international effort to end impunity for the most serious international crimes. We welcome the formal deposit of the instrument of ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine. As we welcome the universalization of the Rome Statute, Sierra Leone will remain a strong advocate for the ICC. We have therefore co-sponsored the draft resolution, A/79/L.8 and call for overwhelming support for the draft resolution by member States.
I thank you.
