Mirzoyan: Armenia ratified Rome Statute with sincere belief in its  high power to eliminate most serious crimes and end impunity

ArmInfo. "In 1998, the international community made a historic decision to put an end to the  most serious international crimes by adopting the Rome Statute. In 2023, Armenia ratified the Rome Statute with a sincere belief in its high power to eliminate the most serious crimes and end the impunity. 

On the 1st of February, the Rome Statute entered into force for  Armenia. A fundamentally important occasion that brings us here  today. Armenian Foreign Minister Arart Mirzoyan stated  at the  official welcoming ceremony for Armenia as the 124th State Party to  Rome Statute, the press service of the RA MFA reports.

The Armenian top diplomat stated that, the Nuremberg Tribunal stated  at its time "crimes against international law are committed by men,  not abstract entities, and only by punishing individuals who commit  such crimes can the provisions of international law be enforced". 

"As we embark on this journey, let us embrace the responsibility that  comes with ensuring that no one is above the law. Today, the  International Criminal Court stands as a bastion against the horrors  of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of  aggression. In this regard, Armenia's consistent cooperative approach  to the ICC is based on the following major objectives: 1) preventing  the most serious crimes which are of concern to the international  community as a whole, 2) strengthening the rule of law in the  international community, 3) achieving more universality of the ICC.   Armenia believes that it is extremely important to establish an  international judicial system which ensures punishment for persons  who have committed genocide and other serious crimes. For decades,  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 long before acceding to the International Criminal Court,"  - Mirzoyan noted.

As he noted: "ICC's role in crime prevention and ensuring fair and  impartial justice process for peaceful resolution of conflicts is  significant. Unfortunately, in our region, we were confronted not  only by complete unwillingness to resolve the issue by peaceful means  but also with a clear intent to proliferate war, hatred and terror.  Continued aggressions against the Republic of Armenia and occupation  of our sovereign territories, heinous atrocity crimes perpetrated  against Armenians, ethnic cleansing of Nagorno Karabakh, as a result  of which over 100.000 Armenians had to escape their homes to find  shelter in Armenia, had devastating humanitarian consequences and  continue to pose imminent risks for our region. In this context, we  are convinced that the Rome Statute among other mechanisms has real  potential to prevent any further escalation and atrocities, becoming  a milestone towards stability and sustainable peace in our region.   Ladies and gentlemen,

We highlight the Court's important role for delivering justice to  victims of unimaginable atrocities, giving them a voice by enabling  them to participate in its proceedings, providing assistance and  awarding reparations. There is no doubt that the Rome Statute and the  ICC, in the quest for accountability, have contributed greatly to the  effective functioning of the international criminal justice system.

Today, let us celebrate not only Armenia's commitment but also the  shared vision of a world where justice prevails, and the dignity of  every individual is protected. As a new State Party to the Rome  Statute Armenia will be an active member of the Court and will  significantly contribute to the works of the Assembly of the States  Parties. Together, we move forward in solidarity, bound by the ideals  of the Rome Statute, as we strive for a future defined by fairness  and the rule of law.  Thank you!",  Mirzoyan summarized.