(Credit: ©ICC-CPI) International Criminal Court Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC (left) with Venezuela President Nicholas Maduro in Caracas Mar. 31, 2022
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
The International Criminal Court said the Venezuelan government is cooperating with The Hague-based tribunal in its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed committed by security forces under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule. ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC completed his second official visit to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela since his decision last November to launch a probe of alleged war crimes including torture and extrajudicial killings.
“I express my gratitude to the authorities of Venezuela for their official invitation and for their cooperative consultations with my delegation. I am grateful in particular for the continued engagement of the President of the Republic, H.E. Mr Nicolás Maduro Moros with who I held straightforward and productive discussions.”
-ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC
However, the ICC prosecutor said Government of Venezuela remains of the view that the conditions for an investigation have not been met. Having said that, Khan gave credit to Venezuelan authorities for committing “to strengthen cooperation with my Office in order that we can get to the truth.” Last November’s announcement of the investigation was accompanied by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maduro government agreeing to cooperate to facilitate the ICC probe in accordance with international standards and the Rome Statute of the ICC, and to continue pursuing justice for these crimes at the national level within Venezuela’s judicial system. The investigation will center on alleged abuses committed in the context of protests and repression that have occurred since 2017. “This collaborative approach has led to concrete progress during my visit in implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between my Office and the Government of Venezuela, signed during my last visit to Caracas in November 2021,” Khan said. This includes authorisation for the Office of the Prosecutor to establish an office in Caracas in support of cooperation with Venezuelan authorities and facilitation of technical assistance under the framework of the MOU.
Karim A.A. Khan QC, ICC Prosecutor and H.E. Mr Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of Venezuela at the signing ceremony of the MoU on Wednesday, 3 November 2021. (Credit: ICC-CPI-int. )
“In November, I noted that the opening of an investigation is not a one-way street, it should also be a basis for deepening engagement and strengthening partnerships. In this regard, I believe we have reached a significant agreement with the Government of Venezuela to work together with international partners, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, on appropriate measures to facilitate implementation of the commitments set out in MoU,”
Khan said.
