International Criminal Court to investigate human rights abuses in Venezuela

In a first, Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving to launch a formal investigation into human rights abuses in Venezuela during anti-government protests in 2017 after conducting a three-year preliminary probe that started in 2018. United Nations-sponsored court will investigate allegations of extrajudicial killings, human rights violations, and abuses committed by Venezuelan armed forces under President Nicolás Maduro’s rule in a setback to Latin American leader. anuncement regarding probe was made on vember 3, Thursday by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who stated that he was aware of political “fault lines” and “geopolitical divisions” during Maduro’s rule. ICC made official anuncement on Twitter. 

After Khan concluded his three-day visit to Caracas, he told reporters that he was focused on legality of matter, and rule of law and did t want to “settle scores”. In a press release shared on Twitter, ICC anunced that “serious crimes of concern to international community must t go unpunished and that ir effective prosecution must be ensured, including by adopting measures at national level and by strengning international cooperation.” ICC furr stated that preliminary examination of situation in Venezuela has revealed it appropriate to open an investigation to “establish truth.” 

“I ask everybody w, as we move forward to this new st, to give my office to do its work,” Khan was quoted as saying by Associated Press. “I will take a dim view of any efforts to politicise independent work of my office,” he went on to add.

"I'm fully aware of flaws that exist in Venezuela, political division. We ( ICC) are t political, we are guided by principles of legality and rule of law.” Furrmore, he said,  "I ask everyone, as we enter this new phase, to give my office to do its work."

While Venezuelan government agreed to cooperate and accept ICC’s decision, it emphasized that it does t share opinion that such a probe must go forward. decision was enshrined in a joint memorandum which was signed by both parties, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. In memorandum signed on vember 3, court at Dutch city of Hague said that investigation is in line with Rome Statute which established ICC in 1998 and outlines jurisdiction of ICC to take appropriate actions where necessary. 

"We respect his decision as a state, though we have made clear we do t share it," Maduro was reported as saying. "We have signed an agreement that does guarantee, in an effective way, cooperation, positive complementarity, mutual support, constructive dialogue to seek truth and justice,” he continued. Meanwhile, memorandum signed by two parties stated that Venezuela "considers that allegations should be investigated in country by existing national institutions created for this purpose.”

Human rights violations in Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela during anti-govt protests 

UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in August 2017 compiled a report “Human rights violations and abuses in context of protests in Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” wherein it documented brutal human rights violations committed by Venezuelan state authorities against anti government protesters that devolved into violent clashes between civilians and riot police. Thousands were arrested, and hundreds were injured. At least 66 were dead after those protesting against government of President Nicolas Maduro for socio-ecomic crisis were confronted by police.

Gory human rights abuses were committed according to OHCHR, including use of excessive force in n-protest related security operations, new instances of arbitrary detentions, torture, and ill-treatment, as well as violations of rights to highest attainable standard of health and to adequate food. report also documented human rights violations, such as alleged extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture and illtreatment, committed by Venezuelan security forces since 2014 as a part of a pattern of repression against political dissidents and anyone perceived as opposed, or posing a threat, to government.

(IM: Twitter/@IntlCrimCourt)