Thread by @IntlCrimCourt

The Office of the Prosecutor of the #ICC is aware & will study the latest report of the General Secretariat of the Organisation of American States (@OAS_official) concerning alleged crimes against humanity committed in #Venezuela. Read more⤵️

The Office deplores the suffering inflicted upon women, men & children who are victims of alleged atrocity crimes. The ICC exists as a court of last resort to do justice for victims & where the treaty which governs the ICC states it must intervene in accordance w/t #RomeStatute.

The #ICC Office of the Prosecutor has made important progress in its preliminary examination into the situation of #Venezuela. Following a thorough assessment, the Office recently reported that crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court have occurred in Venezuela.

That ongoing examination is following its normal course in strict adherence to the applicable legal criteria set by the Statute & the processes in place, which includes an assessment of the relevance & genuineness of national proceedings.

The preliminary examinations process is one that guarantees independent & sound fact-finding & provides for an opportunity to be heard to victims, civil society & states. The Office of the Prosecutor applies this process & the accompanying high standards in a consistent manner.

During prel. exam. process, the Office has continued to engage w/t Venezuelan authorities, int. organisations & multiple other stakeholders & information providers in order to address aspects relevant to its subject-matter assessment as well as admissibility issues.

The Office endeavours to complete preliminary examinations within the shortest time possible; however, it will not compromise the quality & fairness of its processes nor will it allow external pressures to dictate its conclusions.

The Office regrets the tone & manner of the report issued by the General Secretariat of @OAS_official, an international organisation with which the Office expects to cooperate in a spirit of good faith & mutual collaboration.

The Office must also be allowed to carry out its work without aspersions being cast over the integrity of the #ICC Prosecutor or of the Office.

#RomeStatute is the sole arbiter & the bedrock legal instrument guiding the Prosecutor’s judicial determinations. Impartiality & independence together form the cornerstone of the Prosecutor’s mandate & underlie her every action & decision.

The #ICC Prosecutor & her Office do not allow outside attempts, from any source, to interfere with prosecutorial independence or the normal course of #justice.

The #ICC Office of the Prosecutor will continue to conscientiously meet its mandate under the #RomeStatute concerning the situation in #Venezuela or any other situation under the Court’s jurisdiction.

As a matter of practice, the Office provides a yearly update on all situations under preliminary examination towards the end of the year, including on the progress made with respect to the situation in #Venezuela. The 2020 report will be issued later this month.