*Ø* "Victory for international justice and the rule of law," says AI

From Amnesty International, 24 June:

"US withdrawal: determination of international community is 'victory for international justice and the rule of law,' says AI

"(New York) -- Amnesty International (AI) applauds the determination of the international community, which led the US to withdraw its proposal for a further renewal of Security Council Resolutions 1422 and 1487 to exempt peacekeepers from the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"'This is a victory for international justice and the rule of law,' said Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International. 'The world community has sent an unequivocal message that it will not stand for continued efforts to undermine the International Criminal Court.'

"However, Amnesty International is concerned that the US continues to oppose the ICC, and negotiate impunity agreements with individual countries, ensuring that US nationals will not be subject to the ICC's jurisdiction. Amnesty International believes that this undermines international justice, and is unnecessary as the ICC can only exercise jurisdiction if states are unable or genuinely unwilling to prosecute the worst possible crimes under international law."

For current and background information on International Justice please visit the dedicated International Justice pages