As the cloud thickens against the International Criminal Court (ICC) with more nations quitting the body, officials have formally appealed for countries to hold the breaks.
In a passionate appeal to African countries, ICC said: “Don’t go!”
Gambia on Monday formally notified the United Nations that it was withdrawing from the court, following in the wake of South Africa and Burundi.
Russia on Wednesday joined the league of African countries that have snubbed the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree declaring that his country will not become a member of ICC.
“Don’t go,” pleaded Senegalese politician Sidiki Kaba, the president of the ICC’s Assembly of State Parties meeting in The Hague.
“In a world criss-crossed by violent extremism… it is urgent and necessary to defend the ideal of justice for all,” he said.
The tribunal opened in 2002 in The Hague as a court of last resort to try the world’s worst crimes.
But in his passionate plea, Mr Kaba admitted it was going through a “difficult moment”.
He acknowledged some had seen “injustice” in the investigations brought before the court so far, but he offered reassurances, saying: “You have been heard.”
The court had to redouble its efforts to convince countries to return, and to ensure that there was truly universal justice for all, Mr Kaba said.
“Though the powerful may seek to leave the court, the victims everywhere plead for its involvement,” UN human rights commissioner Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said.
He insisted “there is no substitute for the ICC” and in the long term “these states will boomerang back as the court is accepted by more and more states”.
“By withdrawing from the Rome Statute, leaders may shield themselves, but it would be at the cost of depriving their people of a unique form of protection.”
He warned “a new trend of isolationism” sweeping the world would trigger more attacks on the court.
“Now is not the time to abandon the post, now is the time of resolve and strength,” Zeid said.
“Do not betray the victims, nor your own people… stand by the court… it is the best that we have.”
Currently nine out of the 10 ICC investigations are in African countries. The other is in Georgia.
