Joint Nordic Statement: The Scope and Application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction

Joint Nordic Statement delivered by Ms. Kristine Erlandsson, Counsellor,
Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations,
General Assembly, 81st Session, Sixth Committee
Agenda item 85: The scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction
14 October 2026

Mme/Mr Chair,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the five Nordic countries, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Denmark – and my own country, Sweden.

The Nordic countries welcome the opportunity to continue to engage in dialogue on the scope and application of the principle of universal jurisdiction. We would like to extend our thanks to the Secretary-General for his annual report on the Scope and Application of the Principle of Universal Jurisdiction, and to the Member States and observers who contributed to it. The report provides valuable insights into developments in national legislation and judicial practice.

Mme/Mr Chair,

The Nordic countries recognize universal jurisdiction as a well-established principle of international criminal law, and have all incorporated it into our respective domestic legal frameworks, enabling prosecution for the most serious international crimes regardless of where they were committed and the nationality of the perpetrator.

Universal jurisdiction is a distinct principle but at the same time related to other concepts, principles and rules in international and domestic law, enabling it to be applied in a manner which contributes to accountability and justice. We welcome further discussions on these matters focused on ensuring that no individual responsible for the most serious international crimes goes unpunished.

The direction must be crystal clear: There can be no safe havens for those responsible for serious international crimes. We encourage states who have yet to do so to incorporate the principle of universal jurisdiction into their domestic legal order.

Mme/Mr Chair,

States have an obligation to protect populations from atrocity crimes. Yet, serious crimes continue to be committed with impunity. The International Criminal Court remains of paramount importance in the global strive to end impunity and to provide justice for victims of the most serious international crimes. The Nordic countries reaffirm our unwavering support for the independence and impartiality of the ICC. When states are unwilling or unable to exercise jurisdiction over perpetrators of international crimes, the ICC can provide an alternative avenue for prosecution. When the ICC lacks the necessary jurisdiction, universal jurisdiction can close a gap in the existing international legal order by allowing third states to prosecute the most serious international crimes.

We also acknowledge the role of international mechanisms in supporting national and international investigations and prosecutions. The International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria (IIIM), the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), and the now-concluded mandate of UNITAD have all contributed significantly to the collection and preservation of evidence for use in fair proceedings on the international and national level. It is crucial that the international community ensures continued access to such evidence for future prosecutions. We welcome in this regard the establishment of an Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan (IIMA).

Mme/Mr Chair,

The increase in the application of the principle of universal jurisdiction in the last decades, and indeed in recent years, demonstrates how the principle contributes to ensuring accountability. In that regard, we note recent and ongoing investigations and prosecutions in several national jurisdictions for serious crimes committed in Syria and Iraq, as well as serious crimes committed in Ukraine as a result of Russia’s illegal aggression. These efforts, in addition to other examples of such prosecutions, highlight the principle’s practical importance in closing accountability gaps.

Mme/Mr Chair,

Universal jurisdiction contributes to ensuring justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators. And with every prosecution, a clear message is sent: those who commit atrocities cannot evade justice forever and must be held accountable. 
We look forward to continued engagement in the Sixth Committee and other UN fora on this important issue.

Thank you.