Madam President, thank you very much.

I would first of all like to thank the President of the International Criminal Court for her report and the presentation today.

Germany aligns itself with the joint statement delivered by Mexico on behalf of a group of States. I would like to add the following points in my national capacity.

80 years ago, in August 1945, the Allied Powers founded the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, to adjudicate Nazi crimes, war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes against peace, and the crime of aggression.

In the main proceedings during the first nine months of the Nuremberg Trials, out of the 24 defendants, 19 were sentenced according to their individual guilt, three defendants were acquitted, and two cases were dismissed without conviction.

But it is this accountability for Nazi atrocities handed down through proceedings and judgements in Nuremberg and other German courts that still play a significant role in defining Germany's view today: namely, that individual accountability established in criminal proceedings before an independent court is a cornerstone of justice and of peace.

And in light of this historical experience, Germany today is a staunch supporter of the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute as the foundation of the fight against impunity. Because the Court and the Statute embody a collective commitment to end impunity for the most serious crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

And by joining the Rome Statute, all of the Member States have made a commitment that victims shall receive justice and that perpetrators shall be held accountable. And when the most serious crimes under international law are committed, the international community has a tool to fight impunity.

Of course, we know that the International Criminal Court, and with it, the idea of international criminal justice, is under immense pressure. And we believe this requires a firm response. because, Excellencies, upholding the integrity of the Rome Statute is essential to maintain the international order, and essential in upholding the rule of law

And preserving the rule of law through adherence to the principles in the Rome Statute reinforces peace and security, it reinforces global stability and accountability, it deters future violations and gives victims the rightful impression that there is justice.

So by supporting the Rome Statute, states demonstrate the conviction that justice and peace go hand in hand. And that's why I believe it is very regrettable that some countries make the decision to withdraw from the Court.

Not only that, we do express our deep concern over recent measures sanctioning the Court, the officials, staff and those cooperating with the Courth, when in fact the Court is carrying out its very mandate under the Rome Statute.

But we also believe, and we are ready, as Germany, to engage here, that we need dialogue. We need dialogue with all states, States Parties as well as non-States Parties and the Court. Upholding the Court and having the Curt work requires continuous work on the part of the Member States, of course, and also on the part of the Court itself and its organs. But what we need is a dialogue between all of us to reaffirm, in the end, that international justice has to be part of our agenda every day. And that the Court should be able to work efficiently, as it is doing, in accordance with the highest legal and moral standards, while being globally recognized to promote justice and peace.

Madam President,

in closing, let me reaffirm that Germany remains an unwavering supporter for the independence, the impartiality, and the integrity of the Court as an institution, but also with officials, staff and those cooperating with it.

Thank you very much.