Some international law experts have urged the Nigerian government to arrest and prosecute terrorists behind the incessant attacks in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country to demonstrate commitment to the promotion of international criminal justice.
In an interview with The Whitewaters Digest, a Senior Lecturer in the Department Of International Law and Jurisprudence, Moses Orshio Adasu University (formerly Benue State University) Makurdi, Benue State, Paul Ejembi said the observance is significant in combating impunity, promoting accountability, and safeguarding the rights of victims.
He highlighted the global obligation of states to fight crimes such as genocide and crime of aggression under the jurisdiction of International Criminal Court to support victims and ensure their access to justice and reparation.
“The day aims deter future crimes and build a peaceful and just society, it also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the role of the ICC , it’s impact on international peace and security, and the challenges it faces,” he said.
He further noted that the challenges of International Criminal Court, like most international tribunals have limitations of enforcement, undue politicization of the system, and the unwillingness of some countries to submit to the to the jurisdiction of the court or accessed to the Rome Statute.
On the current wars in the Middle East, the International Law expert reaffirmed that the International Criminal Justice has played a pivotal role in issuing an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Isreal Benjamin Netanyahu and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and other world leaders perpetrating crimes against humanity.
“The relevance of International Criminal Justice in the current wars in the Middle East plays a critical role in combating brazen acts of impunity and promoting accountability in the international arena.
“Recall that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister of Isreal Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu and the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Although the ICC , like most international tribunals have challenges of enforcement , it serves as a serves as a potent tool to ameliorate the perpetration of the most serious crimes of international concern”. He reiterated.
Ejembi added that sovereign states most demonstrate their commitment to combating international crimes and promoting accountability by becoming parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to engender the deterrence of future crimes such as genocide, war and aggression.
The International Criminal Justice Day celebrated 17 July every year aims at raising awareness and promoting the cause of justice and the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes in the world to uphold accountability and respect for law.
