In The Hague, Minister Fajon advocates further measures to protect the International Criminal Court

Minister Fajon's address in The Hague | Author Jacob Shelby

In the context of this year's focus on strengthening the protection of the ICC and its resilience, Minister Fajon in her address to the Assembly underlined the importance of the independence and impartiality of the Court and respect for the rule of law. She also condemned attacks, sanctions, threats and attempts to intimidate the Court, its elected officials, its staff and those who cooperate with them.

"Any threats and attempts to undermine the independent work of a judicial institution, including those who cooperate with it, constitute an attack on the rule of law, human rights and the stability of the international order based on international law. Justice is essential and we all need it - the victims who are at the heart of the ICC, and all of us who need the assurance that such crimes will not go unpunished or be repeated," she said.

Minister Fajon met with ICC Judge Beti Hohler to discuss how US sanctions are affecting her work. "It is unacceptable that six ICC judges and three senior prosecutors are now subject to sanctions that place them on a par with terrorists and drug traffickers. Slovenia strongly opposes measures directed against persons who are primarily concerned with ensuring respect for the law," emphasised the Slovenian Foreign Minister.

Slovenia continues to support the activation of the EU Blocking Statute, which would send a clear message to all legal entities based in the EU that US sanctions must not have an effect in the European area. Aware that the decision on this matter lies with the European Commission, which must have sufficient support from Member States, and that discussions on this issue are still ongoing, Slovenia, together with like-minded countries, is seeking other possible measures to protect the Court and its staff. One option is to send a strong high-level political message to legal entities that provide services to the Court and its staff that they should not follow US sanctions and should act in support of the Court and the rule of law, which is a foreign policy priority of the EU and its member states. The discussion also explores possible ways to continue ensuring financial flows in the context of the imposed sanctions.

At a meeting with ICC President Tomoko Akane and Registrar Oswald Zavala Giler, Minister Fajon reiterated Slovenia's unwavering support for the Court and its commitment to preserving its independence and resilience: "Slovenia condemns any interference in the work of the Court, threats and sanctions, including cyber-attacks and possible further measures. Such unacceptable pressure undermines the functioning of the Court in all of its proceedings, including in the cases concerning Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, Libya, the Central African Republic and others."

According to Minister Fajon, the unity of the States Parties is the foundation of the Court's resilience, while its effective functioning hinges on the cooperation between States and adequate financial support. "For long-term success, there can be no room for double standards, transactional politics or selective application of international law. Respect for court decisions strengthens the effectiveness of the international legal system," she concluded.

At a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims of the ICC, Minister Fajon announced that Slovenia would make a voluntary contribution to the fund for victims of gender-based violence in the Central African Republic.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Minister Fajon will also meet with the Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, with whom she will discuss Slovenia's support for the OPCW in fulfilling its mandate and opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the field of global disarmament and non-proliferation of chemical weapons. On 25 November, Slovenia was elected to the Executive Council of the OPCW for the period from 2026 to 2028.

Tomorrow, Minister Fajon will visit the European Space Research and Technology Centre, which operates within the European Space Agency (ESA). On 1 January 2025, Slovenia became a full member of the ESA, which allows full cooperation with companies from ESA member states and other countries, thereby strengthening Slovenia's visibility in the international space sector.