Botswana tells Kenya, Africa to respect ICC, dismisses changes to rule 68

NEW YORK – Botswana made a strong call at the UN on all countries to respect the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure that it works effectively.

The Southern African country’s vice-president Mokgweetsi Masisi used his turn at the UN General Assembly podium in New York late on Thursday to ask world leaders to see to it that the ICC was respected.

“Botswana’s commitment to a strong and effective international justice system remains resolute. Our belief in the ICC, as the only standing international criminal tribunal for war crimes and crimes against humanity, is unwavering,” he said.

“The Botswana government regrets that non-cooperation by some state parties still plagues the court, making allowance for continued impunity and escape from accountability for crimes committed against humanity.”

Masisi said all parties that have signed the Rome Statute of the ICC should “stand fully behind the court”.

“Cooperation is vital for the assurance of the court’s integrity and effective functioning,” he said.