27th March, Mumbai: Russian lawmakers are proposing a bill that would effectively ban the International Criminal Court (ICC) from operating within Russian borders. The move is being led by Vladimir Putin’s ally, Konstantin Kosachev, who heads the foreign affairs committee of Russia’s upper house of parliament, the Federation Council.
The bill, which is expected to be introduced in the coming weeks, would make it illegal for the ICC to conduct any investigations or prosecutions on Russian territory. The proposed legislation also includes provisions that would punish Russian citizens who cooperate with the ICC, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment.
The move comes after the ICC opened an investigation in March 2021 into allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces in the conflict in Ukraine. The investigation was launched following a request from the Ukrainian government and covers alleged crimes committed by both Russian and Ukrainian forces.
Kosachev, who has been a vocal critic of the ICC in the past, has described the investigation as “politically motivated” and “biased”. He has argued that the ICC has no jurisdiction over Russia as it is not a signatory to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC in 2002.
“The International Criminal Court has been used as a tool of political pressure against countries that are not part of the Western world order,” Kosachev said in a statement. “It has no right to investigate or prosecute crimes that are alleged to have been committed by Russia or its citizens.”
Critics of the proposed legislation have accused Russia of trying to shield itself from accountability for alleged human rights abuses and violations of international law. They argue that the ICC plays a crucial role in holding accountable those responsible for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity and that any attempt to undermine its authority is a threat to global justice.
“The ICC is an important international institution that has helped to hold accountable some of the worst perpetrators of atrocities,” said Param-Preet Singh, associate director of the International Justice Program at Human Rights Watch. “Any attempt to undermine its work is a serious threat to justice and accountability.”
The proposed bill is expected to face opposition from human rights groups, as well as some members of the Russian opposition. However, it is also likely to receive support from many members of Putin’s ruling United Russia party, who have long been critical of what they see as Western interference in Russian affairs.
The ICC has faced criticism from some quarters for its perceived bias against African countries. The court has come under fire for focusing on cases in Africa, while allegedly ignoring alleged war crimes committed by Western powers, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Despite these criticisms, the ICC remains a crucial institution in the fight against international crimes, and any attempt to undermine its authority should be met with concern from the international community. The proposed bill in Russia is yet another example of the challenges faced by international institutions in holding accountable those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities.