Statement by Ambassador Tsuji at the 14th session of the ASP of the ICC (General Debate)

 
From 18 to 26 November 2015, the fourteenth session of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) took place at the World Forum Convention Center in The Hague. Ambassador Tsuji made a statement on behalf of Japan at the “General Debate” session as follows.
 
1. First, Ambassador Tsuji stated that Japan has been fully committed to the ICC as one of the major contributors to a more effective functioning of the court since its accession to the Rome Statute in 2007.
 
2. Ambassador Tsuji raised two urgent issues that the ICC currently faces. The first issue is how to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the ICC. In this regard, Ambassador Tsuji highlighted that a trust relationship between the Court and States Parties is indispensable. Also, as the second issue, Ambassador Tsuji pointed out the feasibility of the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP)’s new Strategic Plan and emphasized the importance of the OTP for careful examination of the Strategic Plan in order to make effective use of the limited resources of the ICC.
 
3. Ambassador Tsuji stated that in order to ensure both legitimacy of and the wide support for the court from the International Community, both the Court and the International Community should find out the best way to address the Court’s long-term “cost-drivers” within the limited resources. In this regard, Ambassador Tsuji expressed his appreciation of the “ReVision Project” implemented by the Registry.
 
4. Ambassador Tsuji expressed Japan’s attachment to the importance of the assistance for victims and highly commended the work of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) including its release of a draft implementation plan for reparations in the case against Mr. Thomas Lubanga Dylio.
 
5. Ambassador Tsuji mentioned the importance of promotion of the universality of the Rome Statute and expressed his view that promoting the universality of the Rome Statute would be of at most importance for the realization of the rule of law and the consolidation of the legitimacy of the ICC.
6. In closing, Ambassador Tsuji articulated Japan’s belief that the ICC will continue to consolidate its credibility and reputation both inside and outside the Rome Statute System, as well as Japan’s continued commitment to the establishment of the rule of law in the international community through further, strengthened contribution to the ICC.