From 2 to 7 December 2019, the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court holds its eighteenth session in The Hague. On Tuesday, 3 December Ambassador Mr András Kocsis, head of the Hungarian delegation delivered the following speech:
Mr. President,
Members of the Assembly,
Distinguished Delegates,
It is my honour to address the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court on behalf of Hungary. While we align ourselves with the Statement of the European Union, I wish to add a few observations in my national capacity.
More than twenty years have passed since the adoption of the Rome Statute, a cornerstone on the road towards achieving international peace and security. In the previous decades, the Court has lived up to its mandate by undertaking comprehensive and extensive efforts towards putting an end to impunity for the most serious international crimes. However, it is important to review its achievements and the future goals to be accomplished.
Hungary can therefore fully support the Swiss initiative to extend the material scope of the Rome Statute. The amendment to Article 8 of the Rome Statute to include the intentional starvation of civilians as a war crime in non-international armed conflicts fills a gap in the Statute that currently leaves civilians vulnerable. The codification of such a crime reflects the existing customary international norms, which shall be punishable under the Rome Statute.
Mr. President,
Impunity and the lack of justice for victims fosters an environment in which war criminals are empowered, and more importantly, victims are neglected and left to fend for themselves. In conformity to that principle, my country is a dedicated supporter of the Trust Fund for Victims of the ICC and again donated 10,000 euros to the Trust Fund. Hungary also calls upon States Parties to consider voluntary contributions serving the fulfilment of the Trust Fund’s mandate in assisting victims and awarding reparations.
Mr. President,
Since the adoption of the Statute Hungary has been committed to the cause of the ICC and to the fight against impunity. In this spirit, I would like to express our gratitude to all those who have helped implement the noble principles of the Rome Statute, making the ICC a living and evolving organisation.
I thank you all for your attention.
