IEA refuses to recognise ICC jurisdiction

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) says it is not bound by the International Criminal Court (ICC), established under the Rome Statute.

IEA also invalidated the previous Afghan government’s accession to the Rome Statute, arguing the history of ICC reflected its tendency to act on the basis of political motives rather than principles of justice and fairness.

In a statement, the caretaker government, advocating for mutual respect and principle-based interactions with other nations, rejected the ICC's approach.

The statement highlighted the suffering of millions of innocent people --especially women, children and civilians-- across many countries, including Afghanistan. It criticised the ICC for remaining silent on injustices.

IEA pointed out the court had not addressed or prevented the war crimes committed by foreign occupiers and their allies in Afghanistan, which led to the destruction of villages, educational centers, mosques, hospitals and wedding halls, as well as deaths of women, children, the elderly, and defenseless prisoners.

IEA noted while many large countries around the world were not members of ICC, Afghanistan, a victim of foreign occupation for too long, saw no need for its membership.

The statement concluded with the formal assertion that the IEA was not bound by the Rome Statute and that the previous government’s accession to it lacked legal standing.

Afghanistan became a member of the ICC in 2003.

Around two weeks ago, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan called for the arrest of IEA Supreme Leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada and Supreme Court, head Abdul Hakim Haqqani.

However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) responded by saying the arrest request, based on accusations from the ICC prosecutor, followed a pattern of politically motivated decisions that were far from due legal process.

sa/mud