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TORONTO, ON – On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin withdrew Russia’s signature from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court (ICC) in 2002. The ICC is tasked with prosecuting the worst type of crimes, including war crimes,
genocide, and crimes against humanity.

“As an embodiment of legal accountability, the ICC is a strong deterrent that is crucial to the prevention of genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity,” said Tina Park, Executive Director of the Canadian Centre for the Responsibility to Protect (CCR2P).

“The Russian decision to withdraw from the Rome Statute is a symbolic one, as the treaty had not been ratified by the Russian Government. We are nonetheless concerned by Russia’s growing disinterest in cooperating with the international efforts to protect human rights.”

“CCR2P calls on governments around the world to reaffirm their commitments to the ICC. We must continue to hold accountable those who perpetrate genocide, ethnic cleansing, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. We owe it to the world’s most vulnerable as part of our
Responsibility to Protect.

Thumbnail image sourced from: http://www.worldbulletin.net/world/180271/russia-withdraws-signature-from-icc-founding-statute