On Tuesday, the International Criminal Court and Poland concluded an agreement on the enforcement of sentences.
The President of the court, Judge Tomoko Akane, and Maria Ejchart, Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of Justice of Poland, signed the agreement during a plenary session at the 23rd meeting of the court’s Assembly of States Parties in The Hague.
Under the agreement, persons convicted by the ICC may serve sentences of imprisonment in Poland if so decided by the court and accepted by Poland.
President Tomoko Akane thanked Poland for its unwavering support, emphasising that enforcing sentences is a crucial element of a well-functioning and complete criminal justice system.
She stated, “Through today’s signature of an enforcement agreement with the court, Poland demonstrates once more its strong commitment to international criminal justice and to enabling the proper functioning of the court in all its aspects. Such voluntary cooperation is all the more important in challenging times and as we see more cases reaching the enforcement stage.”
She also expressed hope that other state parties will follow the example of Poland and show their support for the court’s work by signing an agreement on enforcing sentences.
Undersecretary of State Maria Ejchart said: “We do want the conclusion of this agreement to indicate that the Republic of Poland fulfills its international obligations, particularly in the area of prosecuting and punishing international crimes.
“Let it also be tangible proof of the steadfast support of Poland extended to the court and the Rome Statute system. By entering into this agreement, Poland demonstrates its unwavering commitment to ensuring the proper functioning of the court.”
The Rome Statute, the court’s founding treaty, provides that sentences of imprisonment imposed by the ICC “shall be served in a state designated by the court from a list of States which have indicated to the Court their willingness to accept sentenced persons.”
Similar agreements on the enforcement of sentences are currently in force between the ICC and Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Mali, Norway, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
