In response to the presidency’s announcement that Russian President Vladimir Putin will no longer attend the BRICS Summit to be held in South Africa in August, Amnesty International South Africa Executive Director Shenilla Mohamed said: “The government’s clarification that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the BRICs summit is perhaps unsurprising given South Africa’s firm obligation to arrest and surrender him to the ICC.
“As a signatory to the Rome Statute that established the ICC, South Africa has a duty to arrest and surrender President Putin to the court if he sets foot in the country. South Africa was instrumental in building consensus for the creation of the ICC, more than 20 years ago, to bring an end to impunity for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. It has been at the forefront of international justice and should continue to lead, even when others refuse to.”
Background
The South African presidency in a statement said President Putin would by “mutual agreement” not attend the summit. Russia will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Genevieve Quintal, Media and Communications Officer , Amnesty International South Africa: +27 (0) 64 890 9224; genevieve.quintal@amnesty.org.za
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