By Dr. Lorenca Bejko
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia plays a crucial role in the country’s relationship with international organizations, including the International Criminal Court (ICC). As a member of the ICC, Armenia is committed to upholding the principles of the Rome Statute, which aims to prevent the most serious crimes that concern the international community, strengthen the rule of law in the international community, and achieve more universality of the ICC
The official ceremony dedicated to the membership of Armenia in the International Criminal Court (ICC) took place on February 8, 2024, at the ICC headquarters in The Hague. The ceremony marked Armenia’s accession as the 124th signatory of the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding document. The event included the raising of the Armenian flag, congratulatory remarks by the President of the ICC, Mr. Piotr Hofmański and the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC, Ms. Päivi Kaukoranta, and a statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Mr. Ararat Mirzoyan.
In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, emphasized the importance of preventing the most serious crimes, strengthening the rule of law in the international community, and achieving more universality of the ICC during the official welcoming ceremony dedicated to Armenia’s membership in the ICC
During the ceremony, Mirzoyan emphasized Armenia’s priorities and expectations regarding its membership in the ICC, which are in line with universal principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the fight against impunity. He also highlighted the importance of preventing the most serious crimes, strengthening the rule of law in the international community, and achieving more universality of the ICC.
Mirzoyan also highlighted the importance of the ICC’s role in crime prevention and ensuring fair and impartial justice processes for peaceful resolution of conflicts, especially in the context of the South Caucasus region, where Armenia has faced continued aggressions, heinous atrocity crimes perpetrated against Armenians, and ethnic cleansing.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia also discussed the measures undertaken and further steps necessary towards the implementation of the Rome Statute, emphasizing the close cooperation with the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC.
This cooperation is crucial for ensuring that the ICC can fulfill its mandate to investigate and prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.
In a separate meeting with Päivi Kaukoranta, the President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Mirzoyan discussed the measures undertaken and further steps necessary towards the implementation of the Rome Statute. Kirakosyan, the Representative of Armenia on international legal issues, presented the details of the steps initiated in the direction of harmonizing the legislation of the Republic of Armenia with the Rome Statute.
The ceremony was attended by the ICC Prosecutor General, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in The Hague, from about 60 diplomatic representations, the President of the Association of Journalists, as well as other guests.
The membership of Armenia in the ICC is a significant step towards the establishment of an international judicial system that ensures punishment for persons who have committed genocide and other serious crimes. Armenia has been an initiator and pioneer in the processes of prevention and condemnation of the crime of genocide, both within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations and forums.
The ICC’s role in crime prevention and ensuring fair and impartial justice processes for peaceful resolution of conflicts is significant. In the context of the South Caucasus region, where Armenia has faced continued aggressions, heinous atrocity crimes perpetrated against Armenians, and ethnic cleansing, the ICC has real potential to prevent any further escalation and atrocities, becoming a milestone towards stability and sustainable peace in the region.
Armenia’s commitment to the ICC and the shared vision of a world where justice prevails and the dignity of every individual is protected will be an active member of the Court and will significantly contribute to the works of the Assembly of the States Parties. Together, the international community moves forward in solidarity, bound by the ideals of the Rome Statute, as they strive for a future defined by fairness and the rule of law.
