Beyond the ICC exit crisis

The recent decisions by Burundi, the Gambia and South Africa to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have prompted worries that more countries may leave the Hague-based tribunal which investigates war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

These fears seemed well-founded when the Russian government announced its intent to withdraw its signature of the Rome Statute – the legal document which entered into force in 2002 and established the ICC – and Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte warned that his country might follow suit. There is also the possibility of further African withdrawals, and some African leaders, acting within the framework of the African Union (AU), have called for a collective withdrawal from the ICC.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Russia withdraws signature from International Criminal Court statute http://www.europeansources.info/record/russia-withdraws-signature-from-international-criminal-court-statute/

Chatham House: Expert Comment, 26.10.17: Time to Resolve the Debate Over Immunity and the International Criminal Court https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/time-resolve-debate-over-immunity-and-international-criminal-court

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