ICC must be independent and impartial regarding Sudan's Darfur: Chinese envoy

UNITED NATIONS -- The International Criminal Court (ICC), seated in The Hague, Netherlands, must remain independent and impartial, a Chinese envoy told a United Nations Security Council meeting on Wednesday on the ICC's work on Sudan.

It has been more than 20 years since the Security Council referred the situation in Sudan's Darfur to the ICC. China supports the international community in combating and punishing the most serious international crimes in accordance with the law, so as to deter acts of violence, said Sun Lei, the charge d'affaires of China's Permanent Mission to the UN.

Meanwhile, cases involving international crimes are highly sensitive and have far-reaching implications. In handling such matters, the ICC should exercise prudence, adhere to facts and the law, and ensure that relevant proceedings are open and transparent, he added.

"International judicial mechanisms must discharge their duties independently and impartially, strictly proceed from international law, avoid politicization and selective justice, and earn the trust of all parties through concrete actions," said Sun.

The ICC should respect the judicial sovereignty of the states concerned, he said.

China has consistently emphasized that the principle of complementarity established by the Rome Statute is an important foundation for the work of the ICC, which should be upheld in handling all cases and with full respect for the judicial sovereignty and jurisdiction of the states concerned, Sun said.

The situation in Darfur is rooted in a complex historical background and current realities. "International judicial activities should contribute to restoring peace and stability in Sudan rather than aggravating tensions among the parties," he said.

China firmly supports Sudan's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, and stands ready to work with all parties to help Sudan return to peace and stability at an early date and realize development and prosperity, the envoy said.