Report on International Criminal Justice Day and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: The Rome Statute and Sustainable Development Goal 16

On the occasion of the Day of International Criminal Justice, 17 July 2025, the International Bar Association (IBA) has issued a call for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to the Rome Statute system. This system, embodied by the International Criminal Court (ICC), is a critical mechanism for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The ICC’s mandate to prosecute individuals for the most serious international crimes directly supports Target 16.3, which aims to promote the rule of law at national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The persistence of impunity for victims of mass atrocities underscores the urgent need to strengthen these international justice mechanisms.

2.0 Jurisdictional Challenges and the Pursuit of Accountability

A central challenge to the full realisation of SDG 16 within the Rome Statute framework is the jurisdictional regime for the crime of aggression. This issue was the focus of a Special Session of the Assembly of States Parties in July 2025.

• IBA Position: The IBA’s ICC & ICL Programme advocated for amending the Rome Statute to align the Court’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression with that of other core crimes, thereby strengthening the international rule of law.
• Assembly Outcome: While consensus for an immediate amendment was not reached, the Assembly adopted a resolution committing to strengthen the Court’s jurisdiction and to reconvene in 2029 to reconsider the matter.
• Ad Hoc Mechanisms: The establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine within the Council of Europe framework demonstrates a commitment by states to close accountability gaps, affirming the principle that the “supreme international crime” must not go unpunished, in line with the objectives of SDG 16.

3.0 The Role of State Cooperation in Delivering Justice (SDG 17)

The effectiveness of the ICC and the broader international justice system is fundamentally dependent on the active cooperation of states, a principle that reflects Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The execution of arrest warrants is a primary area where this partnership is essential for delivering justice to victims.

The IBA ICC & ICL Programme’s recent report, “No Arrests, No Trials, No Justice: A Strategic Framework for Strengthening Efforts to Execute International Criminal Court Arrest Warrants,” highlights the critical nature of this cooperation. Key findings underscore that without state action, the objectives of the Rome Statute cannot be met.

1. The ICC is entirely dependent on state cooperation to track, arrest, and surrender suspects.
2. The absence of arrests directly obstructs the judicial process, denying trials, justice, and reparations for victims.
3. A coordinated strategy between the Court, the Assembly of States Parties, and all relevant stakeholders is required to ensure the proper execution of arrest warrants.

As stated by IBA ICC & ICL Programme Director Kate Orlovsky, the relentless pursuit of justice and the upholding of the rule of law are essential for “the betterment of all humanity,” a core tenet of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

4.0 Conclusion: A Call to Action for the 2030 Agenda

International Criminal Justice Day serves as a reminder that a robust international legal framework is indispensable for global peace and stability. Strengthening the Rome Statute system is a direct and measurable contribution to the 2030 Agenda.

• Commitment to SDG 16: States Parties are urged to renew their support for the Rome Statute system as a primary instrument for building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
• Strengthening Partnerships for SDG 17: Enhanced cooperation with the ICC, particularly in the arrest and surrender of suspects, is a fundamental requirement for the Court to fulfill its mandate and for states to meet their international obligations.
• Upholding the Rule of Law: The international community must continue to work towards a system where there is no impunity for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or the crime of aggression, thereby ensuring justice for all.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Explanation of Relevant SDGs

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The text is centered on the theme of international criminal justice, the role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in prosecuting the most serious crimes, and the importance of upholding the rule of law. The article’s call for states to support the Rome Statute system, cooperate in arresting suspects, and ensure accountability for victims directly aligns with the goal of promoting peace, providing access to justice for all, and building effective and accountable institutions at the international level. The IBA’s mission, as stated in the article, to “contribute to global stability and peace through the administration of justice,” is the core tenet of SDG 16.

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

Identified SDG Targets

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

   The article is fundamentally about this target. It highlights the ICC as a mechanism for international justice and underscores the global commitment to “upholding the rule of law,” as stated by the IBA President. The entire discussion revolves around ensuring that “the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole must not go unpunished,” which is the essence of providing access to justice for victims of atrocities like genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

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

   While the article focuses on the judicial response to violence, its purpose is inherently linked to this target. By prosecuting individuals for “genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression,” the ICC and the Rome Statute system aim to deter future atrocities. The principle that “the supreme international crime – must not go unpunished” serves as a mechanism to prevent and reduce the occurrence of such large-scale violence.

3. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The article discusses efforts to strengthen the ICC, which is a key international institution. The debate over amending the Rome Statute to “strengthen the Court’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression” is a direct effort to make the institution more effective. Furthermore, the IBA’s role in monitoring the ICC for “fairness and equality of arms” contributes to the institution’s accountability.

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

   The article repeatedly emphasizes the need for international cooperation. It states, “The Court is dependent on state cooperation to track suspects and ensure their arrest and surrender.” This call for States Parties to cooperate with the ICC is a clear example of Target 16.a in action at the international level. The establishment of the “Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine” is another concrete example of international cooperation to combat a specific crime.

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

Implied Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Execution of arrest warrants: The article explicitly states, “without arrests, there can be no trials, no justice or reparations for victims.” It also mentions a report titled, “No Arrests, No Trials, No Justice: A Strategic Framework for Strengthening Efforts to Execute International Criminal Court Arrest Warrants.” The number and rate of executed arrest warrants serve as a direct, measurable indicator of state cooperation and progress towards justice (relevant to Target 16.3).
• Number of prosecutions for international crimes: The primary function of the ICC is to “prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.” The number of individuals successfully investigated and prosecuted by the ICC or related bodies like the Special Tribunal for Ukraine would be a key indicator of the effectiveness of these justice mechanisms (relevant to Target 16.3 and 16.1).
• Adoption of amendments to the Rome Statute: The article details the debate and resolution to “reconsider the amendment proposals” in 2029 to strengthen the ICC’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression. The successful adoption of such amendments would be a clear indicator of progress in making the institution more effective (relevant to Target 16.6).
• Establishment of international justice mechanisms: The creation of the “Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine” is presented as a significant achievement. The establishment of similar cooperative judicial bodies to address impunity can be seen as an indicator of strengthening international cooperation for justice (relevant to Target 16.a).

Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: ibanet.org