A complete of 121 human rights and civil society teams referred to as on U.S. President Joe Biden to respect and help the independence of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and to reject sanctions threatened in opposition to the courtroom’s officers.
The teams, together with Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, highlighted the ICC’s function in making certain justice for grave worldwide crimes in a letter to Biden on Thursday.
They urged the Biden administration to denounce current threats by some U.S. lawmakers to sanction ICC officers if arrest warrants have been pursued in opposition to high Israeli officers accused of conflict crimes within the Gaza Strip.
“Acting on these calls would do grave harm to the interests of all victims globally and to the U.S. government’s ability to champion human rights and the cause of justice, which are stated priorities of your administration,” it mentioned.
Underlining full respect for the ICC is required for it to supply justice for victims, it mentioned: “A selective approach to judicial decisions undermines the credibility, and ultimately, the force of the law as a shield against human rights violations and abuses.”
“We urge you to oppose any legislative efforts to undermine the ICC, and to make clear that regardless of its views on specific ICC investigations, the United States continues to support independent international justice mechanisms,” the letter added.
Previously, some U.S. lawmakers threatened the ICC about “consequences” for the courtroom’s choice to hunt arrest warrants for senior Israeli officers accused of conflict crimes within the Gaza Strip.
ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan utilized for arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defense Minister Gallant. The request additionally included Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar and Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, often known as Mohammed Deif.
Source: www.anews.com.tr