The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD, announced that Ireland has signed agreements for voluntary contributions – totalling €1 million – to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Under the agreements Ireland will contribute €500,000 to the ICC’s Special Fund for Security. This fund was established last year to upgrade the Court’s physical and cyber security infrastructure in the face of rising threats against the ICC and its staff and cyber attacks on the Court itself.
The remaining €500,000 will be made available to the ICC’s Special Fund for Relocations. This fund assists in protecting witnesses cooperating with the ICC by enabling states that are willing, but do not have the capacity at present, to enter into relocation agreements with the Court. The fund helps these states to build local capacity to protect witnesses.
Announcing Ireland’s latest voluntary contributions to the ICC, the Tánaiste said:
“Ireland greatly values the vital role of the International Criminal Court in ending impunity for the world’s most heinous crimes. We fully recognise that in carrying out this role it is essential that all state parties to the Rome Statute support and defend it from threats and attacks against its staff and infrastructure and help protect victims and witnesses from intimidation.
“These contributions will help improve the security of the Court and those who cooperate with it. This security is crucial for the successful conduct of the Court’s investigations and prosecutions.”
