Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to attend commemoration events of the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute

News release

July 16, 2023 – Ottawa, Canada - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced today that the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will attend events to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, United States, on July 17 and 18, 2023.

The adoption of the Statute of Rome in July 1998 represents a milestone in the maintenance of international peace and security, as it led to the creation of the International Criminal Court, an independent court of last resort with jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes of international concern, namely genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and aggression.

While in New York, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also attend the United Nations General Assembly Plenary Meeting on the Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, where he will reaffirm Canada’s unwavering commitment to support the Ukrainian people as they fight against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression.

Quotes

"Millions of children, women and men have been victims of unthinkable crimes due to internal and international conflicts. The adoption of the Statute of Rome, through the creation of the International Criminal Court, has created a sense of justice for many of those victims over the last twenty-five years. It is Canada’s hope that the Court will continue to engage with them and with member states to further advance international peace and safety."

- Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • The Statute of Rome was adopted on July 17, 1998, by the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Establishment of an International Criminal Court.

  • Canada signed the Statute of Rome on December 18, 1998, and ratified it on July 9, 2000. Canada played a pivotal role to establish the International Criminal Court and contributed to its development in a variety of important ways.

  • Canada became the first country in the world to incorporate the obligations of the Rome Statute into its national laws when it adopted the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.

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Contacts

Emily Williams
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Emily.Williams@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca

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