The workshop discussed future scenarios for the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the EU’s engagement with the court. Against the background of an ongoing review of the Court and the Rome Statute system, the workshop was organised upon the request of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee for Human Rights, and followed the appointment of a new ICC Prosecutor. Speakers identified key challenges for the Court, including: the unstable and fragmented political support by states; the mismatch between resources and growing demands for legal action, requiring difficult and well justified choices by the Prosecutor; allegations of bias and of politicisation; and the need for effective communication with victims and affected communities. The workshop underscored the central role of the EU in upholding the ICC as a central pillar of the multilateral system, but drew also attention to complementary avenues for accountability, such as the use of universal jurisdiction. This report brings together the background briefings prepared by law experts for the workshop and a summary of the debate with Members, academics, civil society experts and EU representatives.
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© European Union, 2021 - EP