Hoge Vertegenwoordiger Ashton verwelkomt ratificatie van het Statuut van Rome door de Filipijnen (en)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels, 31 August 2011 A 340/11

Statement by High Representative Catherine Ashton i on the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by the Philippines

Catherine Ashton, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, made today the following statement:

"I warmly welcome the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by the Philippines on 30 August and congratulate the Government of the Philippines for their achievement. With its decision the Philippines once more confirmed its commitment to the rule of law, also globally.

With this accession, the Philippines join the ever-growing number of nations in the call that there should be no impunity for the most serious crimes.

The European Union has long supported the ratification of the Rome Statute. As the first permanent international judicial body capable of trying individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes when national courts are unable or unwilling to do so, the International Criminal Court represents one of the most significant opportunities the world has had to prevent or drastically reduce the deaths and devastation caused by conflict. "

PRESS

FOR FURTHER DETAILS: Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 - +32 2 299 97 80 - Michael. Mann@eeas.europa.eu Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 - +32 2 298 65 70 - Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON @ec.europa.eu www.eeas.europa.eu