Russia snubs ICC

Russia has joined the league of African countries that have snubbed the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree declaring that his country will not become a member of ICC.

In his decree, Putin ordered Russia’s Foreign Ministry to inform the UN of his decision.

Earlier this week, the court released a statement saying it was considering Russia and Ukraine to be involved in an armed conflict, with Crimea as occupied territory.

In 2000, Russia signed a treaty to establish the court, but the country did not ratify an agreement to join.

Gambia, an African country, had notified the United Nations of its withdrawal membership of the court with effect from Nov. 10, 2017.

In October, Gambia’s Information Minister Sheriff Bojang described the ICC as “an International Caucasian Court for the persecution and humiliation of people of colour, especially Africans.”

The tiny West African nation said in late October it planned to pull out of the ICC.

South Africa and Burundi both notified the United Nations in October of their withdrawal from the court, which will take effect in one year.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed regret that South Africa, Burundi and Gambia are leaving the ICC and said it could “send a wrong message on these countries’ commitment to justice.”