Report on Congressional Concerns Regarding the Elimination of the Office of Global Criminal Justice and its Impact on Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

On September 29, 2025, a formal inquiry was submitted by U.S. Representatives James P. McGovern, Sara Jacobs, and Ilhan Omar to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The correspondence expresses significant concern over the State Department’s decision to eliminate the Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ). The lawmakers are seeking clarification on how the department’s reorganization will preserve the critical functions of the GCJ, which are integral to advancing global peace, justice, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16.

2.0 Background

The inquiry follows a notification to Congress on May 29, 2025, detailing a comprehensive reorganization of the State Department that includes the dissolution of the GCJ. While the department has indicated that the GCJ’s statutory functions will be transferred to the Office of the Legal Adviser, there is a lack of detail regarding the continuation of its broader responsibilities. This has raised concerns about a potential gap in U.S. foreign policy related to international justice and accountability, which directly undermines progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The work performed by the GCJ is fundamental to achieving several key SDGs. The potential discontinuation or diminishment of its functions poses a direct threat to U.S. commitments to these global objectives.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most critically impacted goal. The GCJ’s mandate is a direct implementation of SDG 16 targets, including promoting the rule of law (Target 16.3) and developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions (Target 16.6).
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The GCJ’s focus on survivor engagement and transitional justice is crucial for addressing sexual and gender-based violence in conflict, contributing to the elimination of violence against women and girls (Target 5.2).
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: By seeking accountability for mass atrocities, the GCJ’s work helps protect vulnerable and marginalized populations, ensuring equal access to justice and reducing inequalities of outcome (Target 10.3).

4.0 Core Functions and Areas of Concern

The lawmakers’ letter emphasizes that the GCJ’s activities have been essential for advancing U.S. foreign policy and reinforcing global stability, in line with SDG 16. The primary concern is that the elimination of a dedicated office will dilute focus and expertise. The core functions requiring preservation are:

1. Accountability for Mass Atrocities: Ensuring that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity are held responsible, which is a cornerstone of building peaceful and inclusive societies (SDG 16).
2. Support for Transitional Justice: Assisting nations in post-conflict recovery by supporting mechanisms that ensure justice, truth, and reparations for victims.
3. Engagement with Survivors: Elevating the voices of survivors in justice processes, ensuring that their needs are central to accountability efforts.
4. Reinforcing the Rule of Law Globally: Promoting international legal frameworks and supporting international courts and tribunals to combat impunity.

5.0 Requested Actions

The representatives have urged Secretary Rubio to provide Congress with a detailed plan to ensure the seamless continuation of these vital responsibilities. The request is for a clear strategy that demonstrates how the State Department will maintain its commitment to international justice and the principles of SDG 16. The letter presses for clarity on which bureaus or offices will assume the GCJ’s functions to prevent any interruption in this critical work.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in thearticle?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article directly addresses SDG 16, which aims to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” The entire focus of the letter from the lawmakers is the preservation of the functions of the Office of Global Criminal Justice (GCJ). The article highlights the office’s critical role in “promoting accountability for mass atrocities, supporting international and transitional justice… and reinforcing the rule of law globally,” all of which are core components of building peace, ensuring justice, and fostering strong institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.

   The article’s emphasis on ensuring “accountability for mass atrocities” is directly linked to this target. Holding perpetrators of mass violence accountable is a key mechanism for deterring future violence and addressing its consequences, thereby contributing to the reduction of violence and related deaths.

2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

   This is the most relevant target. The article explicitly states that the GCJ’s activities have played a “critical role” in “reinforcing the rule of law globally.” The lawmakers’ concern is about preserving functions related to “Global Criminal Justice,” “international and transitional justice,” and “engagement with survivors,” which are all fundamental aspects of promoting the rule of law and access to justice on an international scale.

3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.

   The work of the GCJ, as described, involves advancing U.S. foreign policy interests through the support of “international and transitional justice.” This represents a form of international cooperation aimed at strengthening justice mechanisms and institutions globally to address and prevent mass atrocities, which aligns with the goal of strengthening institutional capacity through international partnership.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Implied Indicators for SDG 16 Targets

• Existence and resourcing of dedicated governmental bodies for global justice: The central issue of the article is the elimination of the Office of Global Criminal Justice. The existence, mandate, and resources of such an office (or the successful realignment of its functions) serve as a direct indicator of a government’s commitment to promoting international justice and the rule of law (Target 16.3). The lawmakers’ demand for a plan on how the functions will continue implies that the continuation of these functions is a key measure of progress.
• Implementation of policies and programs for accountability and transitional justice: The article names the specific functions of the GCJ as “promoting accountability for mass atrocities” and “supporting international and transitional justice.” The continuation and effectiveness of these activities are implied process indicators. Progress could be measured by tracking the U.S. State Department’s active support for international tribunals, truth commissions, and other transitional justice mechanisms.
• Mechanisms for survivor engagement in justice processes: The article explicitly mentions “raising the voices of survivors of atrocities” and “engagement with survivors” as a key responsibility of the GCJ. The existence and use of formal mechanisms to include survivors in justice and accountability processes can be considered a qualitative indicator of progress towards ensuring access to justice for all (Target 16.3).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators’ to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: mcgovern.house.gov