ILLUSTRATIVE IMAGE
The US has revoked the visa for the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda in attempt to sabotage a possible investigation of US war crimes in Afghanistan.
The data regarding the decision to revoke Bensouda’s visa was revealed by her office on April 5. The statement added that Bensouda would continue to pursue her duties for the Hague-based court “without fear or favour” despite the ban.
“What we can confirm is that the US authorities have revoked the prosecutor’s visa for entry into the US,” the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC said in own statement.
Fatou Bensouda is the chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court in The Hague. (Peter Dejong/AP)
There was no immediate comment on Bensouda’s visa ban from Washington. However, the revealed move followed an earlier announcement of restrictions on ICC staff who probe US or allied personnel by US State Secretary Mike Pompeo.
The decision to pressure Bensouda is likely related to her request to ICC judges in November 2017 for authorisation to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Afghanistan by the Taliban, Afghan government forces and international forces including US troops.
So far, the court has not decided whether to launch a full-blown probe. However, the recent developments show that the court may have been close to a postivie decision.
On March 15, Pompeo claimed that the ICC was “attacking America’s rule of law”. He was “announcing a policy of US visa restrictions on those individuals directly responsible for any ICC investigation of US personnel.”
“If you’re responsible for the proposed ICC investigation of US personnel in connection with the situation in Afghanistan you should not assume that you still have, or will get, a visa or that you will permitted to enter the United States,” Pompeo said.
Reports regarding civilian casualties caused by actions of the US and its allies appear on a regular basis. However, these casualties and other war crimes of US forces and their allies, both international and local, remain not undressed by the international community.
Anyone surprised a bully is acting like a bully? Greedy pricks still want more.
Whatever keep burning your bridges usa…you will be all alone soon. Once israel is done sucking you dry that it. With friends like that who needs ennemies?
“At least 108 people have died in American custody in Iraq and Afghanistan, most of them violently, according to government data provided to The Associated Press.”
– 108 Died In U.S. Custody –
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/report-108-died-in-us-custody/
“Commandís Responsibility documents a dozen brutal deaths as the result of the most horrific treatment. One such incident would be an isolated transgression; two would be a serious problem; a dozen of them is policy.”
– Detainee Deaths in U.S. Custody in Iraq and Afghanistan –
https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/06221-etn-hrf-dic-rep-web.pdf
“Habibullah’s autopsy was performed two days after his death, and classed his death as a homicide.[5] Dr. Ingwerson said the cause of death was “Pulmonary embolism due to blunt force injury to the legs.” But this did not prevent the GIs staffing the prison from continuing to use these “compliance blows”, and a second Afghan, Dilawar, died four days later, on December 10, 2002, under practically identical circumstances. Dr. Elizabeth Rouse, the coroner for Dilawar, the other murder victim, said she had seen similar damage to a man whose legs had been run over by a bus …
By 2005, at least 15 American soldiers had been recommended for prosecution by Army investigators for abuse of detainees at Bagram. At least five of the soldiers were charged with crimes involving Habibullah’s treatment. Captain Christopher Beiring was charged with dereliction of duty and making false statements; the charges were dropped, but he was reprimanded.[7] Sgt. Christopher Greatorex was tried on charges of abuse, maltreatment, and making false statements; he was acquitted on September 7, 2005. Sgt. Darin Broady was tried on charges of abuse and acquitted on September 9, 2005.[8] Specialist Brian Cammack pleaded guilty to charges of assault and making false statements; he was sentenced to three months in jail, a fine, reduced in rank to private, and given a bad conduct discharge.[9] Pfc. Willie Brand was convicted of other charges, but acquitted of charges relating to abuse of Habibullah.”
– Habibullah (Bagram detainee) –
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habibullah_(Bagram_detainee)
I’m not surprised in this. I’m not even surprised that Europe, which is a part of the ICC and played a major part in its creation is not raising a fuss over this with Washington. But then again did it raise a fuss when the US Congress adopted the Hague invasion act? Authorizing military action in case an American did make it into the docks there. They just pretend that it doesn’t exist and that America is still their good friend and ally. Like a battered housewife whose husband abuses her.
the criminally insane and corrupt to the core junta in washington dc can rant and rave as muchas they can but if there is a criminal action found, you bet those morons won’t be able to travel anywhere since they would be likely to be arrested if and when they set foot outside of moronistan. and how is that, to be rediced to live in one of the most boring places you can think of and not be able to leave it for even the shortest sojourn. looking forward to that.