The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) released a statement expressing their dismay over the threats and actions taken against judges and prosecutors involved in issuing arrest warrants in the Ukrainian case. The organization’s representatives emphasized that the elected officials and staff at the ICC have the strong support of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute. They called on all countries to respect the judicial and prosecutorial independence of the organization and reaffirmed their commitment to fighting impunity for serious international crimes.
The threats made by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev against the ICC included a suggestion of a pinpoint strike with an Onyx hypersonic missile from a Russian ship directed towards the Hague courthouse. Subsequently, the International Criminal Court opened criminal cases against the judges and prosecutor involved in issuing the warrant for the arrest of the president. On March 17, the ICC in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. While the European Commission allocated more than €10 million to the organization since the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine, Russia does not recognize the decision of the ICC, and considers it insignificant from the point of view of the law.
The article also includes a photo gallery about the events that followed the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine.
The leadership of the Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) deplored the threats and measures already taken against the prosecutor and judges involved in issuing arrest warrants in the Ukrainian case.
“The leadership of the Assembly emphasizes that the Court, its elected officials and staff enjoy the strong support of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute,” said representatives of the organization in statement on the official site.
The Assembly called on all states to respect the “judicial and prosecutorial independence” of the organization. The statement stated that the participating countries continue to consider the ICC “the epitome of a collective commitment to fight impunity for serious international crimes.”
Earlier, the ICC was threatened by Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia Dmitry Medvedev. Mr. Medvedev noted that “everyone walks under God and missiles,” and also pointed out that one can imagine a pinpoint strike with an Onyx hypersonic missile from “a Russian ship on the Hague courthouse.” In addition, the ICR opened criminal cases against judges and the ICC prosecutor, who issued a warrant for the arrest of the president.
On March 17, the ICC in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. On the same day, the Kremlin reported that Russia does not recognize the decision of the ICC and considers it “insignificant from the point of view of law.” Three days later, European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said that the European Commission had allocated more than €10 million to the organization since the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine “in support of work in Ukraine.”
Read more about what happens after the entry of Russian troops into Ukraine in the Kommersant online broadcast.
Early in the morning of February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a military operation in the Donbass and the entry of troops into the DPR and LPR. What happens after the hostilities – in the photo gallery “Kommersant”.
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In conclusion, the recent threats and measures taken against the prosecutor and judges of the International Criminal Court in the Ukrainian case have been condemned by the leadership of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute. The ICC, its elected officials, and staff have the unwavering support of the participating countries in their commitment to fight impunity for serious international crimes. It is essential for all states to respect the judicial and prosecutorial independence of the organization. Despite the ICC’s arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, the Kremlin has refused to recognize the decision, and criminal cases have been opened against judges and the ICC prosecutor. The situation remains tense, and it is vital to continue following the developments in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.