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ICC head urges Burundi, South Africa to reconsider withdrawal decision

BRUSSELS, Oct 22 (KUNA) -- President of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Sidiki Kaba, expressed concern Saturday that the withdrawal of Burundi and South Africa would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the court.
"Although withdrawing from a treaty is a sovereign act, I regret these decisions and invite South Africa and Burundi to reconsider their positions," he said in a statement.
On Friday the Government of South Africa deposited its instrument of withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC, with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The decision comes in the wake of the withdrawal process recently initiated by Burundi.
Kaba indicated that "this disturbing signal would open the way to other African States withdrawing from the Rome Statute, thus weakening the only permanent international criminal court in charge of prosecuting the most serious crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, namely genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression." He stressed that the ICC needs the strong support of the international community and the cooperation of States to ensure its effectiveness and strengthen its credibility.
Observers, however, note that the Hague-based ICC has mainly focussed on cases in African countries and thus causing resentment in Africa against the court as being biased. (end) nk.mt