Groups oppose bid to shield presidents

The 122 ICC member countries should reject a move to exempt heads of state from prosecution, a coalition that includes several African organisations declared Monday.

“Immunity for government leaders before the ICC is contrary to the basic principle that no one should be above the law,” said Mr Georges Kapiamba, president of the Congolese Association for Access to Justice.

“We should not deny justice to the victims and their families because their tormentors hold high political positions.”

Mr Kapiamba’s association is one of 14 groups advocating for human rights and the rule of law that plan to lobby the ICC’s Assembly of State Parties at its annual meeting that starts Wednesday in The Hague.

The International Commission of Jurists’ Kenyan chapter is among the groups opposing an African Union-supported amendment to the ICC treaty that would protect national leaders from ICC prosecution.

“Human rights abuses by governments and armed groups remain one of the biggest challenges confronting people in Africa,” Mr George Kegoro, director at the Kenyan jurists group, said.

“Ideally, domestic courts will ensure justice for these crimes, but the ICC serves as a crucial court of last resort when they are unable or unwilling.”

The activists also rejected claims that the ICC is singling out Africans for prosecution.

“The ICC is far from perfect, but it is not targeting Africa,” said Ms Angela Mudukuti, international criminal justice project lawyer at the Southern Africa Litigation Centre.

Human Rights Watch is among the organisations joining in the lobbying effort at the Hague.