ASP regrets members withdrawal from ICC

The President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Sidiki Kaba, says he regrets withdrawal of any State Party from the Rome Statute and has reaffirmed the Court’s fight against impunity.

In a statement to the press, Kaba expressed concern that this move would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the Rome Statute, thus weakening the only permanent international criminal court in charge of prosecuting what he termed as the most serious crimes.

“Although withdrawing from a treaty is a sovereign act, I regret these decisions and invite South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their positions,” Kaba said.

“I urge them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity, which often causes massive violations of human rights,” he added.

This comes just a day after South Africa deposited its instrument of withdrawal from the Rome Statute with the Secretary General of the United Nations.

According to South African Justice Minister, Michael Masutha, the government wrote to the United Nations, expressing its intention to pull out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) because its obligations are inconsistent with laws giving sitting leaders diplomatic immunity.

The document, signed by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and dated October 19, 2016 explains that the Republic of South Africa has found that its obligations with respect to the peaceful resolution of conflicts are at times incompatible with the interpretation given by the International Criminal Court of obligations contained in the Rome Statute.

The decision comes in the wake of the withdrawal process recently initiated by Burundi.

Kaba has urged Burundi and South Africa to reconsider their decision urging them to work together with other States in the fight against impunity.

Kenya has also embarked on a process that will ensure the country’s withdrawal from the Rome statute.

National Assembly Majority Leader in Aden Duale says members of the House Business Committee will meet next week to deliberate on the matter.