On 16 July 2026, the European Union, in a statement by the High Representative on behalf of the EU, reaffirmed its unwavering support for the international criminal justice system, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), ad hoc international tribunals, and hybrid criminal judicial bodies. The statement, issued on International Criminal Justice Day, pays tribute to those working to uphold justice and accountability, and remembers victims and survivors of the world's gravest crimes. The EU reiterated its firm commitment to the Rome Statute and called on all states to ensure full cooperation with the Court, emphasizing the need to preserve the ICC's independence, impartiality, and effective functioning free from pressure or interference.
The statement underscores the EU's determination to defend international justice and fight impunity, asserting that there can be no lasting peace without justice and accountability. The EU pledged continued political, diplomatic, financial, and practical support for the ICC and the broader Rome Statute system, including strengthening national justice systems under the principle of complementarity. The declaration comes amid ongoing violations of international law causing immense suffering, and stresses that accountability is indispensable for justice, prevention of future atrocities, and sustainable peace. The EU also highlighted the rights of victims to truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence as vital components of international criminal justice.