The Hague, August 07 (QNA) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed its concern today over the withdrawal of Chad and Venezuela from its membership, stating that the two countries "risk undermining the collective pursuit of justice."
In a statement, the Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute expressed its concern regarding the steps taken by the governments of Chad and Venezuela to withdraw from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the ICC, and affirmed its regret over the two countries' decision.
The ICC's legislative body commented on these decisions, saying, "The decisions of States Parties to withdraw from the Rome Statute carry the risk of undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity." It emphasized that withdrawal from the Rome Statute does not release a state from the obligations that arose during the period when it was a party to the Statute.
In late July, Chad announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, arguing that the court focuses excessively on African countries. Venezuela also announced its intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, explaining that its decision was due to what it described as the court's "bias". (QNA)