Burundian MPs raise their hands to vote for withdrawal from the International Criminal Court on October 12, 2016. PHOTO | AFP
By AFP
In Summary
Burundi on Thursday formally notified the UN of its
withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, dealing a blow to the
tribunal seen as a pillar of international justice.
South Africa was the first to take the formal step at the UN
last week and Gambia has also said it plans to pull out of the Rome
treaty that created the ICC.
Burundi's Justice Minister Aimee Laurentine personally delivered the formal letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's office.
The withdrawal takes effect one year after the letter is received.
Calls for reversal
The United Nations is calling on South Africa and Burundi to reverse their decisions.
ALSO READ: Burundian MPs pull a fast one on ICC
"That withdrawal can be withdrawn," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
Burundi's move came after a UN envoy was dispatched to Bujumbura for crisis talks.
UN envoy Jamal Benomar was in Bujumbura meeting with leaders to
try to defuse tensions over the ICC pullout and the government's
decision to break ties with the UN rights office.
Set up in 2002, the ICC is often accused of bias against Africa.
The ICC in April launched a preliminary investigation of allegations of killings, torture and other rights abuses in Burundi.
A report by UN rights experts has blamed President Pierre
Nkurunziza's security forces and police for the violence that has torn
the country since 2015.
The UN Human Rights Council decided last month to set up a
formal commission of inquiry that could help identify those responsible
for the violence.
Burundi has been in turmoil since Nkurunziza announced plans in
April last year to run for a third term, which he went on to win.
More than 500 people have died in the violence and at least 300,000 have fled the country
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