International human rights groups have condemned the decree signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrawing Russia from the International Criminal Court, calling it a cynical move and a bad omen for justice.
The Rome Statute created the court in 1998. Putin signed the treaty in 2000, but Russia never ratified it.
Tanya Lokshina, the Moscow-based Russia Program Director for Human Rights Watch, said in an emailed comment that the withdrawal from the ICC is symbolically important — a sign of the dramatic unraveling of Russia’s cooperation with international justice and international institutions.
“By signing the Rome Statute years ago, Russia demonstrated …read more
Source: Voice of America
