Mongolia should ban the entry of Vladimir Putin, who has planned a visit to the country on September 3, or arrest him if the Russian dictator enters the territory of this state.
About this stated Maria Elena Vignoli, senior adviser on international justice at Human Rights Watch, reports Ukrinform.
“Mongolia will violate its international obligations as a member of the ISS if it allows Vladimir Putin to visit the country without arresting him. The reception of Putin, who is hiding from the ISS, would not only be an insult to many victims of the crimes of the Russian forces, but would also undermine the important principle that no one, despite his power, is above the law,” Vignoli emphasized.
Mongolia ratified the Rome Statute in 2003. Under the ICC‘s founding treaty, Mongolia is required to cooperate with the court, including by arresting and extraditing any suspects who enter its territory. With no police of its own, the ICC must rely on the assistance of states and the international community to make arrests.
If Putin visits Mongolia, it will be the first time an ICC member country will host him after a court has issued a warrant for him. In August 2023, Putin was due to attend the annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg, a group of nations that includes both South Africa and Russia, but his visit was ultimately canceled due to pressure from civil society and a South African court ruling that upheld the commitment. South Africa to fulfill the order of the International Space Station.
Human Rights Watch said all ICC member states should follow South Africa’s example and fulfill their obligations under the court’s founding treaty.
“When Putin planned to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa last year, South Africa faced the same choice as Mongolia, but made it clear that it recognized its obligations to arrest him, and in the end he stayed home. The Mongolian authorities now have a chance to demonstrate their commitment to justice for international crimes by denying Putin entry or arresting him if he enters the country,” Vignoli said.
Read also: Mongolia promised Putin not to arrest him despite a warrant from The Hague – Bloomberg
As Ukrinform reported, in March 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Putin on suspicion of illegal deportation of children and illegal transfer of Ukrainians to Russia.
On the eve of Putin’s visit to Mongolia, scheduled for September 3, the International Criminal Court declared that the country is under an obligation to comply with the requirements of the International Criminal Court.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the Mongolian authorities to execute the mandatory international arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin during his visit to the country.
What actions can Mongolia take to uphold its obligations under the Rome Statute regarding the arrest of Vladimir Putin?
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Mongolia Must Uphold International Justice: Ban or Arrest Vladimir Putin
The international community is calling on Mongolia to take a stand against impunity and uphold its obligations under the Rome Statute by banning or arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to visit the country on September 3. This comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an international arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges [[3]].
Human Rights Watch has urged Mongolia to deny entry to Putin or arrest him if he enters the country, citing its international obligations as a member of the ICC [[3]]. Maria Elena Vignoli, senior adviser on international justice at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that allowing Putin to visit without arresting him would not only be an insult to the victims of Russian forces but also undermine the fundamental principle that no one is above the law.
Mongolia ratified the Rome Statute in 2003, which requires the country to cooperate with the ICC, including arresting and extraditing suspects who enter its territory. The ICC, which has no police force of its own, relies on the assistance of states and the international community to make arrests.
This is not the first time Putin has faced diplomatic pressure due to the ICC warrant. In August 2023, he was set to attend the annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg, but his visit was ultimately canceled due to pressure from civil society and a South African court ruling that upheld the country’s commitment to the ICC [[1]].
Human Rights Watch is urging all ICC member states to follow South Africa’s example and fulfill their obligations under the court’s founding treaty. Vignoli noted that when Putin planned to attend the BRICS summit in South Africa last year, the country recognized its obligations to arrest him, and he stayed home. Now, Mongolia has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to justice for international crimes by denying Putin entry or arresting him if he enters the country [[3]].
Despite the international pressure, Mongolia has ignored calls to arrest Putin, with reports suggesting that the country has promised not to arrest him despite the ICC warrant [[2]]. However, it is not too late for Mongolia to change its stance and uphold its obligations under the Rome Statute.
By banning or arresting Putin, Mongolia would be sending a strong message that it values the principles of international justice and is committed to ensuring that those responsible for war crimes are held accountable. It is essential for Mongolia to take a stand against impunity and uphold its international obligations, rather than allowing Putin to evade justice.
Mongolia must ban or arrest Vladimir Putin to uphold its international obligations and ensure that justice is served for the victims of Russian forces. The international community is watching, and it is essential for Mongolia to take a stand against impunity and demonstrate its commitment to justice for international crimes.
What are the implications for international law if Mongolia does not arrest or ban Vladimir Putin during his visit?
Mongolia Must Uphold International Justice: Ban or Arrest Vladimir Putin
The international community is calling on Mongolia to take a stand against impunity and uphold its obligations under the Rome Statute by banning or arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is scheduled to visit the country on September 3. This comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an international arrest warrant for Putin on war crimes charges [3].
Human Rights Watch has urged Mongolia to deny entry to Putin or arrest him if he enters the country, citing its international obligations as a member of the ICC [2]. Maria Elena Vignoli, senior adviser on international justice at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that allowing Putin to visit without arresting him would not only be an insult to the victims of Russian forces but also undermine the fundamental principle that no one is above the law.
Mongolia ratified the Rome Statute in 2003, which requires the country to cooperate with the ICC, including arresting and extraditing suspects who enter its territory. The ICC, which has no police force of its own, relies on the assistance of states and the international community to make arrests.
This is not the first time Putin has faced diplomatic pressure due to the ICC warrant. In August 2023, he was set to attend the annual BRICS summit in Johannesburg, but his visit was ultimately canceled due to pressure from civil society and a South African court ruling that upheld the country’s commitment to the ICC [1].
