U.S. Vows Visa Limits Linked to International Criminal Court | Nairalaw

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will impose visa
restrictions on people responsible for any International Criminal
Court probe, a move aimed at preventing the court from pursuing the
United States and its allies on Afghanistan, Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo said on Friday.

The Trump administration in September said that if the court
launched a probe of war crimes in Afghanistan, it would consider
banning ICC judges and prosecutors from entering the United States,
sanctioning funds they have there and prosecuting them in U.S.
courts.

Washington took the first step on Friday with Pompeo’s
announcement.

“I’m announcing a policy of U.S. visa restrictions on those
individuals directly responsible for any ICC investigation of U.S.
personnel,” Pompeo told a news conference in Washington.

“These visa restrictions may also be used to deter ICC efforts
to pursue allied personnel, including Israelis, without allies’
consent.”

Pompeo said the policy was already being implemented but would
not elaborate, citing visa privacy laws.

“These visa restrictions will not be the end of our efforts,” he
said. “We’re prepared to take additional steps, including economic
sanctions, if the ICC does not change its course.”

A director at Human Rights Watch, Andrea Prasow, described the
announcement as a “thuggish attempt to penalize investigators” at
the court.

“Taking action against those who work for the ICC sends a clear
message to torturers and murderers alike: Their crimes may continue
unchecked,” she said, and called on U.S. lawmakers to rescind the
move and express support for the court.

In November 2017, the ICC prosecutor requested authorization
from judges to initiate an investigation into alleged war crimes
and crimes against humanity in Afghanistan since May 1, 2003,
including in states where the CIA held prisoners.

Judges are reviewing all material submitted by the prosecutor,
and must decide whether or not to authorize an investigation.

With 123 member states, including the entire European Union, the
ICC is a court of last resort. It was established in 2002 to
prosecute war crimes, genocide or crimes against humanity when a
country is unable or unwilling to prosecute perpetrators itself.
Major powers, including the United States, China and Russia, are
not members.

Reporting by Lesley Wroughton; Additional reporting by Doina
Chiacu and Anthony Deutsch; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by
Phil Berlowitz and Jonathan Oatis

2019 Elections: Nigerian Army Constitutes Panel to
Investigate Misconduct of Personnel

As a way of ensuring that NA troops deployed for election
security duties during the 2019 General Elections conducted
themselves within laid down Rules of Engagement and the Code of
Conduct, the NA has set up a 9-member investigative committee,
headed by Maj Gen TA Gagariga with Brig Gen JM Ali, Brig Gen GO
Adeshina, Brig Gen MA Obari, Col AT Bitiyong, Col A Tanko and Col
WA Bakare as members and Lt Col PAJ Ebuk as Secretary to
investigate all allegations of misconduct against the NA during the
just concluded general elections. The committee is to submit its
report not later than 31st of March, 2019.

The committee, which has already commenced action, was
inaugurated by the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General
KAY Isiyaku on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS ) Lieutenant
General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and admonished to carry out their
duties objectively, fairly and transparently in line with its Terms
of Reference.

The committee’s Terms of Reference centered on thoroughly
investigating the activities, actions and/or inactions of NA
Personnel in all the States that alleged one infraction/wrong doing
or the other.

The Committee is also to collate and thoroughly analyze all
reports to determine the veracity of the allegations including the
alleged assassination attempt on Rivers State Governor and the
circumstances that led to the shooting to death of Lt Kurmi as well
as that leading to serious injuries to an officer and some soldiers
in the State.

The Committee is further mandated to visit all States where
issues have been raised about the conduct of NA during and after
the elections and also interact with Civil Society Organizations,
sister security agencies and State Governors with claims against
the Army.

It would be recalled that the COAS, Lt Gen TY Buratai has on
many fora, consistently (both in words and actions), soundly
indicated that, under his watch, NA personnel must remain
apolitical, respect human rights and abide by the rule of law in
all its official engagements within or outside Nigeria and in or
out of conflict situation. NA troops were deployed for the
elections under Operation SAFE CONDUCT that was set up to provide
support to the NP and other security agencies to ensure hitch free
and successful elections in the country.

The Chairman of the committee, Major General TA Gagariga has
assured the COAS and all Nigerians of the commitee’s commitment,
resolve and determination to objectively and professionally address
the major issues as contained in the Committee’s Terms of
Reference.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Acting Director Army Public Relations