Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland visits the ICC.
Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland and ICC President Judge Sang-Hyun Song at the seat of the Court in The Hague © ICC-CPI
Today, 26 August 2013, Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, visited the International Criminal Court (ICC), to meet with the ICC President, Judge Sang-Hyun Song, and other high-level officials of the Court.
President Song thanked Federal Councillor Burkhalter for Switzerland’s longstanding support and assistance to the ICC. “Switzerland is a consistent donor to important ICC trust funds – such as the Trust Fund for Victims – and they have been very active within the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, where Ambassador Börlin serves as an excellent Vice-President. Switzerland is also the most recent country to ratify the ICC Agreement on Privileges and Immunities. One could hardly wish for a more supportive and engaged State Party”, said President Song.
Federal Councillor Burkhalter stated: “The ICC has become a cornerstone of the peace, security and justice architecture as well as an important institution for the victims of horrific crimes. The fact that the Swiss Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands serves as Vice President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute is an expression of our commitment to a strong and effective ICC”.
The Federal Councillor’s visit to the ICC highlights Switzerland’s continuous support to the ICC and the joint efforts deployed in the fight against impunity of the perpetrators of the most serious crimes that affect the international community as a whole.
Photographs of the visit are available here.
