“The statements by Foreign Minister Tajani, the head of diplomacy for the country that, 27 years ago, contributed perhaps the most to the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC) by hosting its founding conference, are deeply concerning. While one may disagree with the decisions of the ICC, the Italian Republic is a State Party to the Court and is therefore under a unequivocal obligation to cooperate with its decisions. An international arrest warrant cannot simply be disregarded because it is deemed politically inappropriate or because a Head of State is on Italian soil for an official visit. If pragmatism is the aim, then such individuals should simply not be invited. If they come on their own initiative, they must be met by law enforcement at the airport. Otherwise, not only is it impossible to claim to ‘respect the ICC,’ but Italy risks reducing the Court’s jurisdiction to an à la carte exercise – the very antithesis of the rule of law.”
NPWJ – ICC: Tajani’s remarks on immunity are deeply troubling
