New York, November 11, 2025. — During the debate on agenda item 76 of the UN General Assembly, concerning the "Report of the International Criminal Court," Ambassador Yuri Ariel Gala López, Chargé d'affaires, a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations, reiterated Cuba's commitment to fighting impunity for crimes affecting the international community.
He noted that it is now more necessary than ever to have an independent judicial institution that administers justice. He added that the reality is that the International Criminal Court is far from independent, given the enormous powers that the Rome Statute grants to the Security Council with regard to the Court's work.
The Cuban diplomat said that the Security Council's ability to refer situations to the Court indicates a negative trend toward selective policies with respect to developing countries, in the name of a supposed “fight against impunity.” He also mentioned that, based on the provisions of the Relationship Agreement, the International Criminal Court must report on its activities to the UN General Assembly.
Reiterating Cuba's position in favor of the establishment of an impartial, non-selective, effective, and fair international criminal jurisdiction, which complements the national justice systems and that is truly independent and, therefore, free from subordination to political interests that could distort its essence.
Ambassador Gala López recalled that the International Criminal Court cannot ignore international treaties and the principles of international law. "The court must respect the principle of law relating to a state's consent to be bound by a treaty," he said.
Finally, he reaffirmed Cuba's willingness to fight impunity, its commitment with the international criminal justice, and its adherence to the principles of transparency, independence and impartiality, and respect for international law.
Permanent Mission of Cuba to the United Nations