Message from Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, for the 50th anniversary of the Siracusa Institute (17 September 2022)

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The 50th anniversary of the Siracusa Institute took place on 17 September 2022. The institute, directed by honorary judge Jean-François Thony, is a beacon for the international criminal justice system. This event brought together high-level figures from States and international institutions, including the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and all of its judges.
On that occasion, Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, wanted to send this message.

Message recorded in French and subtitled in English

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is an honour to join you in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Siracusa International Institute, a historic and pioneering institute in the fight against impunity for international crimes. It is also a pleasure for me to celebrate once more the friendship between the Italian and French peoples.

Since it was founded, the Siracusa Institute has played a key role in building the international criminal justice system. Today, still, it acts as a catalyst for interactions between internationally renowned lawyers and law practitioners, to serve a rule-based international order.

While certain powers violate the most basic principles of international law, including on European soil, the crimes perpetrated must not go unpunished. France actively supports the international criminal jurisdictions, at the forefront of which is the International Criminal Court. We also support capacity-building for national legal systems, in Ukraine, Côte d’Ivoire, Jordan and Sudan.

The technical assistance programmes and training for legal professionals by the Siracusa Institute, for example in Tunisia and Egypt, have also played a crucial role.

Ladies and gentlemen, France will continue to support, alongside the Siracusa Institute, international cooperation and coordination among all those committed to the fight against impunity. Congratulations on this anniversary; auguri!