Di, Jun 4th 2024
Switzerland confirms its commitment to international obligations under the ICC, but doesn’t rule out immunity requests.
Switzerland must comply with international obligations if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues arrest warrants for Israeli government members and Hamas leaders. The Federal Council made this clear on Monday.
“As a member of the Rome Statute, Switzerland is in principle obliged to execute arrest warrants issued by the ICC,” reads the response of the Swiss government to several questions from parliamentarians during question time in the National Council. The ICC is the International Criminal Court, established under the Rome Statute of 1998.
If the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber issues arrest warrants, the Federal Office of Justice will determine the cooperation’s admissibility and modalities with the ICC. The Federal Council would decide on immunity issues upon the FDJP’s request, the reply continues.
Currently, the Federal Council is not commenting on the ICC chief prosecutor’s application for arrest warrants due to ongoing proceedings. The decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber must be awaited.
On May 20, the ICC’s chief prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister, and three Hamas leaders for alleged crimes against humanity. Both Israel and Hamas denounced this decision.
©Keystone/SDA
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