It is the major annual meeting of the member countries of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Assembly of States Parties is being held this week in The Hague, Netherlands. This court is today the target of threats from the United States after issuing an arrest warrant against Benyamin Netanyahu. The ICC is more weakened than ever, while its support is divided.
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With our special correspondent in The Hague, Julien Chavanne
“ This is unacceptable », Repeat the States in turn. According to them, the 124 member countries of the International Criminal Court (ICC) would all be united to defend it, during its Annual Meeting.
“ France strongly condemns any form of threat, sanction or attack against the Court and its agents », assures François Alabrune, French ambassador to the Netherlands. The French diplomat avoids the angry subject: immunity promised to Benyamin Netanyahu. However, this is an unprecedented major blow in the contract with the International Criminal Court.
Budget threatened
But it is not only the legitimacy of the ICC that is threatened, its budget is also. The judges of the Court are asking for an extension of 10%, which seems to be a bad start.
Canada, one of the largest contributors, declines through the voice of its international lawyer, Louis-Martin Aumais. “ This is a worrying request, my friends. We recognize the increasing demand placed on the Court in recent years. However, the need for fiscal responsibility is clear », he notes.
A consensus on an increase around 6% could emerge, according to one of the negotiators. Nearly 200 million euros per year are hoped for, “ less than Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary in Saudi Arabia », quips a member of an NGO present at this Assembly.
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