The Hague — On Friday, Burundi became the first nation to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC), set up some 15 years ago to prosecute those behind the world’s worst atrocities. "Burundi’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute will take effect on Friday October 27 2017," an ICC spokesperson told AFP. The move comes exactly a year after its capital, Bujumbura, officially notified the UN that Burundi was quitting the world’s only permanent war crimes tribunal, in what was seen as a major blow to international justice. "The decision to withdraw Burundi from the Rome Statute comes at a time when the machine continues to kill with impunity in Burundi," said Lambert Nigarura, president of the Burundi coalition for the ICC, in a statement. "Today, Burundian justice, as it is so-called, has lost contact with life. It has become a mere tool of repression of any dissenting voice." However, ICC officials said a preliminary probe launched by the prosecutor in April 2016 into possible crimes a...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.