Ab-Titchaz
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[h=1]UN General Assembly back ICC[/h]Saturday, August 24, 2013 - 00:00 -- BY NZAU MUSAU
KENYA suffered a blow yesterday when the UN General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in support of the ICC. In the last few months, Kenya has been pulling all the stops to disparage the ICC in the eyes of UN Security Council.
Through Permanent Representative to the UN Macharia Kamau, Kenya has criticised the philosophical basis of the ICC almost suggesting it be scrapped.
But on Thursday, the UNGA in its 95th meeting endorsed the ICC and called on members to ensure cooperation and assistance in the arrest and surrender of suspects, provision of evidence, protection and relocation of victims and witnesses and in the enforcement of sentences.
The resolution was sponsored by 59 member states but was adopted by consensus. There was no record of Kenyan delegation speaking. The Sudan delegation however ensured their anti-ICC stance was reflected in the resolution.
Sudans representative pointed out that, since his country was not a State party, it did not recognize the Courts jurisdiction, and would, therefore, not recognize its decisions. That applied to other non-States parties to the Statute, he said, adding that he was not interested in todays resolution, a statement from the assembly read.
The assembly hailed ICCs first judgment against Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga as an important step in ensuring accountability of those responsible for international crimes.
Both president Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are facing crimes against humanity charges at the ICC. In May, Macharia asked the UNSC to terminate the Kenyan cases and to reconsider the value of ICC.
UN General Assembly back ICC | The Star
KENYA suffered a blow yesterday when the UN General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution in support of the ICC. In the last few months, Kenya has been pulling all the stops to disparage the ICC in the eyes of UN Security Council.
Through Permanent Representative to the UN Macharia Kamau, Kenya has criticised the philosophical basis of the ICC almost suggesting it be scrapped.
But on Thursday, the UNGA in its 95th meeting endorsed the ICC and called on members to ensure cooperation and assistance in the arrest and surrender of suspects, provision of evidence, protection and relocation of victims and witnesses and in the enforcement of sentences.
The resolution was sponsored by 59 member states but was adopted by consensus. There was no record of Kenyan delegation speaking. The Sudan delegation however ensured their anti-ICC stance was reflected in the resolution.
Sudans representative pointed out that, since his country was not a State party, it did not recognize the Courts jurisdiction, and would, therefore, not recognize its decisions. That applied to other non-States parties to the Statute, he said, adding that he was not interested in todays resolution, a statement from the assembly read.
The assembly hailed ICCs first judgment against Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga as an important step in ensuring accountability of those responsible for international crimes.
Both president Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are facing crimes against humanity charges at the ICC. In May, Macharia asked the UNSC to terminate the Kenyan cases and to reconsider the value of ICC.
UN General Assembly back ICC | The Star