Putin Menaces ICC
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that would enable Russia to ignore international human rights rulings if they conflict with the country’s constitution. The move is seen as a direct challenge to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has the power to investigate and prosecute individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Putin’s move comes after the ICC opened an investigation into alleged war crimes committed during the 2008 conflict between Russia and Georgia.
The new law, which was signed in December 2020, allows Russia’s Constitutional Court to declare international rulings unenforceable if they are found to be in conflict with the country’s constitution. The move has been criticized by human rights groups and legal experts, who say that it undermines the authority of international human rights law and could lead to impunity for those who commit war crimes and other atrocities.
The ICC has said that it will continue to investigate and prosecute alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Russia and other countries, regardless of Putin’s actions. The court has also called on Russia to cooperate with its investigations and to respect its jurisdiction.
The move by Putin is seen as part of a broader trend of countries, including the United States, China, and Israel, rejecting the authority of international institutions and treaties. It highlights the ongoing tension between national sovereignty and international human rights law and underscores the importance of international cooperation in protecting human rights and preventing atrocities.
