ICC vows to continue prosecution of Kenyan leaders despite vote to withdraw from court
Globe and Mail
Thursday 5th September, 2013
In this Saturday, March 2, 2013 file photo, then Kenyan Presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta, center-right, and his running mate William Ruto, center-left, greet the crowd as they arrive at the final election rally of Kenyatta's The National Alliance party at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Kenya. Kenya's parliament began action Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013 to withdraw from the International Criminal Court, just before the country's President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto face trial at The Hague for allegedly inciting post-election violence, although even if Kenya formally withdraws from... - See more at: http://www.kenyanews.net/index.php/sid/216870481/scat/a262965e0c331d64#sthash.zjHTLBYh.dpuf
Parliament passes motion to withdraw Kenya from Rome Statute
Updated Thursday, September 5th 2013 at 19:37 GMT +3
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Nairobi, Kenya: The National Assembly Thursday afternoon passed a motion to introduce a bill, within the next 30 days, seeking to end Kenya’s membership of the International Criminal Court.
The House reopened to debate on the controversial Motion that was introduced in Parliament by Majority Leader Aden Duale.
The heated debate comes just days before Deputy President William Ruto and former radio presenter Joshua arap Sang trial at The Hague begins.
Members of the CORD coalition walked out of the House in opposition of the motion.
More to follow.
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CORD: Kenya must not contemplate withdrawal from Rome Statute
Updated Thursday, September 5th 2013 at 19:43 GMT +3
By Standard Reporter
Nairobi, Kenya: Coalition for Reforms and Democracy ( CORD) has criticised the move by the government seeking to pull Kenya out of the Rome statute.
CORD argued that the Court’s objective is partly to put an end to impunity so that the perpetrators of serious crimes within the jurisdiction of the court, including crimes against humanity, are punished.
“Kenya’s membership to the Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court is a demonstration of the people’s sovereign will, in action, to be part and parcel of the family of nations which since the creation of the United Nations have reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person,” read a statement from CORD secretariat.
CORD says that withdrawal from the International Criminal Court will be inconsistent with and defeat the purposes and objectives of the Constitution of Kenya adding that the thinking has not helped former and current leaders of Libya, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan to run away from or be shielded from international justice.
“For Kenya to remain faithful to the Constitution as enacted and proclaimed on 27th August 2010 we must not contemplate withdrawing from the Rome Statute. Kenya cannot exist outside the realm of international law in all situations,” read the statement.
Thursday, the National Assembly passed a motion to introduce a bill, within 30 days, seeking to withdraw the country from the Rome Statute the forms the ICC.
If successful, Kenya will be the first country to pull out of the International Criminal Court.
“Merely a forthright ago the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed its full support for the International Criminal Court and Kenya should not take lightly the resolutions and Commitment of the World body,” says CORD.
Nairobi, Kenya: Coalition for Reforms and Democracy ( CORD) has criticised the move by the government seeking to pull Kenya out of the Rome statute.
CORD argued that the Court’s objective is partly to put an end to impunity so that the perpetrators of serious crimes within the jurisdiction of the court, including crimes against humanity, are punished.
“Kenya’s membership to the Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court is a demonstration of the people’s sovereign will, in action, to be part and parcel of the family of nations which since the creation of the United Nations have reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person,” read a statement from CORD secretariat.
CORD says that withdrawal from the International Criminal Court will be inconsistent with and defeat the purposes and objectives of the Constitution of Kenya adding that the thinking has not helped former and current leaders of Libya, Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan to run away from or be shielded from international justice.
“For Kenya to remain faithful to the Constitution as enacted and proclaimed on 27th August 2010 we must not contemplate withdrawing from the Rome Statute. Kenya cannot exist outside the realm of international law in all situations,” read the statement.
Thursday, the National Assembly passed a motion to introduce a bill, within 30 days, seeking to withdraw the country from the Rome Statute the forms the ICC.
If successful, Kenya will be the first country to pull out of the International Criminal Court.
“Merely a forthright ago the United Nations General Assembly reaffirmed its full support for the International Criminal Court and Kenya should not take lightly the resolutions and Commitment of the World body,” says CORD.
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