Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Senators urge Biden to assist ICC in Putin war crimes investigation

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A group of bipartisan Senators in the United States has requested President Joe Biden to share information with the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding war crimes charges against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ICC has issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest over the “unlawful deportation” of children from Ukraine, more than a year after Russia invaded the country. The Senators sent a letter to Biden urging him to support the ICC and provide assistance to its efforts. The letter also called on Biden’s administration to contribute to the efforts to hold Putin accountable for his actions.

However, the United States is not a party to the ICC and has consistently denied that the body has authority to investigate allegations of war crimes committed by US forces. The US has not agreed to provide information to the ICC out of concern that the court could one day scrutinize US officials. This puts the US in an awkward position as it calls for accountability for Russian officials while shielding its own actions and those of its allies from similar scrutiny.

Earlier this month, news outlets reported that the US Department of Defense would not share information about Russian atrocities with the ICC, out of concern it could create a precedent that could eventually be applied to US officials accused of war crimes. The US Congress passed legislation in December easing restrictions on US cooperation with the ICC, but debates have continued within the Biden administration over the issue.

The Senators who signed Friday’s letter included Democrats Dick Durbin, Bob Menendez, Richard Blumenthal, and Sheldon Whitehouse, as well as Republicans Lindsey Graham and Thom Tillis. They stated that the administration had “bipartisan support for delivering” on its “promise” to hold Putin accountable.

Biden has previously stated that Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine. The letter from the Senators calls on Biden’s administration to contribute to efforts to hold Putin accountable for his actions. Despite the urgent need to hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable, recent reporting suggests that the Biden administration has not yet used its new authority to provide much-needed assistance to the ICC’s efforts.

In conclusion, the Senators’ letter to Biden highlights the need for the US to support the ICC’s efforts in holding Putin accountable for his actions. The US has been in an awkward position as it calls for accountability for Russian officials while shielding its own actions and those of its allies from similar scrutiny. The US Congress passed legislation in December easing restrictions on US cooperation with the ICC, but debates have continued within the Biden administration over the issue. The Senators’ letter shows bipartisan support for delivering on the promise to hold Putin accountable.

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