Guya Scopas Bethuel — The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting international criminal justice and supporting South Sudan’s transitional justice process, emphasizing that justice and the rule of law are essential for achieving lasting peace, protecting human rights, and strengthening democratic governance.
Speaking during the commemoration of the International Day of International Criminal Justice at the Swiss Cooperation Office in Juba on Friday, the European Union Chargé d’Affaires to South Sudan, Lothar Jaschke, said the EU will continue to support justice sector reforms in South Sudan and efforts to combat impunity for serious international crimes.
Jaschke recalled the European Union’s support for South Sudan’s justice sector reforms, including assistance to the Judicial Review Committee, whose recommendations laid the foundation for ongoing judicial reforms.
“We welcome and support the process towards an accessible, independent, impartial and effective justice system for all in South Sudan,” he said, noting that a fair and transparent legal system is fundamental to public trust and the protection of citizens’ rights and dignity.
He stressed that justice is the foundation of peaceful societies and that no one should be above the law.
“Justice is the basis of peace within our societies and peaceful relations among individuals. It has a beautiful face when it works and ensures that no one is above the law, but all are subject to the same rules. This is the rule of law,” Jaschke said.
The diplomat described respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and human rights as the core values upon which the European Union was founded, saying these principles continue to guide the bloc’s engagement around the world.
Marking the significance of the day, Jaschke explained that July 17 commemorates the adoption of the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC), the world’s only permanent international criminal court mandated to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
He said the Rome Statute was created to ensure justice for victims of the world’s gravest crimes by holding perpetrators accountable.
The EU, he added, remains committed to defending the independence, integrity, and universality of the ICC and continues to encourage all states to cooperate with the Court while supporting reforms aimed at improving its effectiveness.
In South Sudan, Jaschke highlighted the European Union’s continued investment in transitional justice through a three-year regional programme valued at approximately US$6 million, managed by the EU Delegation to the African Union. The programme seeks to support the domestication of the African Union Transitional Justice Policy and the implementation of its roadmap across the region.
He said the initiative also provides support to victim support groups and promotes youth participation in transitional justice through digital storytelling initiatives.
Beyond South Sudan, Jaschke noted that the European Union launched a €21 million global programme in 2024 to fight impunity for international crimes, strengthen respect for international law, and build greater awareness and support for the International Criminal Court and its mandate.
The Chargé d’Affaires concluded by reaffirming the European Union’s commitment to supporting civil society organisations, lawyers, prosecutors, and human rights defenders working to advance accountability for atrocity crimes.
He said civil society plays a critical role in documenting human rights violations and breaches of international humanitarian law, helping ensure justice for victims and contributing to lasting peace and reconciliation.
The International Day of International Criminal Justice is observed annually on 17 July to mark the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998, which established the International Criminal Court. The day serves as a reminder of the global commitment to ending impunity for the world’s most serious crimes and promoting accountability through international law.