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18/06/2004
War crime immunity hurts UN credibility: Annan
Continuing to grant UN peacekeepers immunity from potential prosecution by the war crimes tribunal "had the potential to hurt the credibility of both the Security Council and the UN itself", Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said.
First adopted by the Council in July 2002 and renewed last year, the resolution effectively shields members of UN peacekeeping missions from nations that have not ratified the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) – from investigation or prosecution. The resolution is set to expire on 30 June.
The US, which originally signed the Rome treaty but did not ratify it, introduced a text last month seeking to renew the exemption for a third consecutive year.
“[The] blanket exemption is wrong. It is of dubious judicial value, and I don't think it should be encouraged by the Council,” Mr Annan told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York
“For the past two years, I have spoken quite strongly against the exemption, and I think it would be unfortunate for one to press for such an exemption, given the prisoner abuse in Iraq,” Mr Annan said.
“I think in this circumstance it would be unwise to press for an exemption, and it would be even more unwise on the part of the Security Council to grant it.”
Such as move “would discredit the Council and the United Nations that stands for rule of law and the primacy of rule of law,” he said.
(gmcg)
First adopted by the Council in July 2002 and renewed last year, the resolution effectively shields members of UN peacekeeping missions from nations that have not ratified the Rome Statute – the treaty that established the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) – from investigation or prosecution. The resolution is set to expire on 30 June.
The US, which originally signed the Rome treaty but did not ratify it, introduced a text last month seeking to renew the exemption for a third consecutive year.
“[The] blanket exemption is wrong. It is of dubious judicial value, and I don't think it should be encouraged by the Council,” Mr Annan told reporters at UN Headquarters in New York
“For the past two years, I have spoken quite strongly against the exemption, and I think it would be unfortunate for one to press for such an exemption, given the prisoner abuse in Iraq,” Mr Annan said.
“I think in this circumstance it would be unwise to press for an exemption, and it would be even more unwise on the part of the Security Council to grant it.”
Such as move “would discredit the Council and the United Nations that stands for rule of law and the primacy of rule of law,” he said.
(gmcg)
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24 June 2004
US relinquishes its UN war crime exemption
The US is no longer pursuing a UN resolution exempting its peacekeeping troops from prosecution at the International Criminal Court. Reacting to the US decision, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the move would help maintain the Council's unity "at a time when it faces difficult challenges".
US relinquishes its UN war crime exemption
The US is no longer pursuing a UN resolution exempting its peacekeeping troops from prosecution at the International Criminal Court. Reacting to the US decision, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the move would help maintain the Council's unity "at a time when it faces difficult challenges".
05 August 2004
Sudan's militia must be disarmed - there are 'no excuses', says Annan
Sudan has been warned that there can be "no confusion or no excuses" for not quickly bringing to a close the murderous outrages carried out by government-backed militias in the northern Darfur region. And while there has been progress on humanitarian access to remote Darfur, Khartoum has “much more” to do on improving security for the 1.
Sudan's militia must be disarmed - there are 'no excuses', says Annan
Sudan has been warned that there can be "no confusion or no excuses" for not quickly bringing to a close the murderous outrages carried out by government-backed militias in the northern Darfur region. And while there has been progress on humanitarian access to remote Darfur, Khartoum has “much more” to do on improving security for the 1.
17 December 2003
Annan calls for 'clarity' over UN's Iraq role
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has outlined plans for reconstituting the world body’s work in Iraq while appealing for "clear guidance" on what role it is being asked to fulfil.
Annan calls for 'clarity' over UN's Iraq role
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has outlined plans for reconstituting the world body’s work in Iraq while appealing for "clear guidance" on what role it is being asked to fulfil.
16 September 2003
UN has endured a 'trying' year, says Annan
The past year has been a "trying" one for the UN in terms of peace and security, with the war in Iraq severely testing the principle of collective security and the resilience of the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said in his annual report.
UN has endured a 'trying' year, says Annan
The past year has been a "trying" one for the UN in terms of peace and security, with the war in Iraq severely testing the principle of collective security and the resilience of the United Nations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan has said in his annual report.
04 December 2006
Annan says Iraq situation worse
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has told the BBC that he believes Iraq is in the grip of a civil war and said that Iraqis are worse off now than under the regime of Saddam Hussein. In an interview for BBC World Service radio and BBC World television to be broadcast today (Monday) he spoke about the delicate situation in Iraq.
Annan says Iraq situation worse
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has told the BBC that he believes Iraq is in the grip of a civil war and said that Iraqis are worse off now than under the regime of Saddam Hussein. In an interview for BBC World Service radio and BBC World television to be broadcast today (Monday) he spoke about the delicate situation in Iraq.
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