The International Criminal Court (ICC) expressed concern Friday at the decision by Chad to withdraw from the body and called on it to reconsider.
Venezuela announced its withdrawal from The Hague-based court on July 25 and Chad two days later. Both accused the body of biased in the investigations.
“The presidency regrets these developments,” said a statement from the court’s leadership, currently made up of Finland, Sierra Leone and Poland.
It said that withdrawal from the Rome statute that set up the ICC “risk undermining the collective pursuit of justice and weakening global efforts to end impunity.”
US pressure
It added: “The ICC stands at the heart of the international system of accountability, and its effectiveness depends on sustained and unequivocal support from the international community.”
“The presidency calls on Chad and Venezuela to remain committed states parties to the Rome Statute.”
Earlier, the United States launched a diplomatic offensive against the court – which it accuses of threatening Americans – promising new sanctions and calling on other nations to quit.
Relations between President Donald Trump’s administration and the court are poor, with some judges already subject to US sanctions.
Targeting African countries
Chad accused the ICC of focusing on African countries. The governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have also signalled they want to leave the ICC.
Venezuela, which is the target of an ICC investigation, made similar complaints.
“Venezuela considers that the Court’s actions reflect a demonstrated geographical bias, which has disproportionately concentrated its work on African and Latin American countries,” said Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia.
