International Criminal Court in The Hague (Source: ICC) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia has signed a treaty to become a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a boost for its legal institution as it faces growing criticism, the country’s foreign ministry announced on March 5.
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah signed the ICC founding treaty on March 4 after Malaysia’s Cabinet approved the move, making the country the 124th member of the court since its establishment in 2002.
Malaysia’s new government, which came into power in May 2018, had vowed to join the ICC.
Human Resources Minister M. Kula Segaran said that by joining the ICC, Malaysia can now play an important role in issues related to crimes against humanity.
The ICC is the world’s only permanent war crimes court and aims to prosecute the worst abuses when national courts are unable or unwilling.
However, the tribunal in The Hague has come under fire over high-profile acquittals, while Burundi became the first country to quit the court in 2017 and the Philippines has announced its intention to withdraw.
The ICC also suffered a major setback in January when judges acquitted former President of the Ivory Coast Laurent Gbagbo over a wave of violence following disputed elections, raising fresh questions about whether the court is fit for purpose. –VNA
VNA
