Ulaanbaatar should deny Russian President Putin entry or arrest him if he enters the country on September 3.
Mongolia should ban the entry of Russian President Putin or arrest him if he enters the country on September 3.
This was stated by Maria Elena Vignoli, senior adviser on international justice at Human Rights Watch.
President Putin has been wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since March 17, 2023, when judges issued arrest warrants against him and his commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for the illegal deportation of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine.
“Mongolia would violate its international obligations as a member of the ISS if it allowed Russian President Putin to visit it without arresting him. Accepting Putin hiding from the ISS would not only be an insult to the many victims of Russian military crimes, but would also undermine the important principle that no one, despite their power, is above the lawVignoli added.
Mongolia became a member of the ISS in 2003. Under the court’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 in making arrests.
If Putin visits Mongolia, it will be the first time an ICC member country will host him after a court 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 execute the order.
Human Rights Watch said all ICC members should follow South Africa’s example and fulfill their obligations under the court’s agreement.
“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 he ultimately stayed home. Mongolian authorities now have a chance to demonstrate their commitment to justice for international crimes in concrete terms by denying Putin entry or arresting him if he does enter the country“, says Vignoli.
Allowing Putin to visit would also mean withdrawing Mongolia’s support for the ISS. On June 15, Mongolia joined the statement of 94 member states of the court, which declared their “unwavering support” for the ICC amid the growing number of threats against the court and its officials. The statement also called on all members to “ensure full cooperation with the Court in fulfilling its important mandate to ensure equal justice for all victims of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression, serious crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.”
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Mongolia Faces International Pressure to Arrest Putin or Deny Entry
As Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to visit Mongolia on September 3, human rights organizations and international community urged the Mongolian government to take a stand and fulfill its obligations as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mongolia, having joined the ICC in 2003, is bound by the court’s treaty to cooperate with it, including arresting and extraditing suspects who enter its territory.
The call to action comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in March 2023, for the illegal deportation of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine [[3]]. As a member of the ICC, Mongolia has a duty to arrest and detain Putin if he enters the country.
Maria Elena Vignoli, senior adviser on international justice at Human Rights Watch, stated that allowing Putin to visit Mongolia without arresting him would be a violation of the country’s international obligations and an insult to the victims of Russian military crimes [[3]]. Vignoli emphasized that Mongolia has a chance to demonstrate its commitment to justice for international crimes by denying Putin entry or arresting him if he enters the country.
This is not the first time Putin has faced the prospect of arrest. In August 2023, he was due 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 commitment to execute the arrest warrant [[3]]. Human Rights Watch has urged all ICC member countries to follow South Africa’s example and fulfill their obligations under the court’s agreement.
Despite the international pressure, Putin did visit Mongolia, and the Mongolian government ignored the ICC arrest warrant, allowing him to conclude his official visit undisturbed [[2]]. The Kremlin touted this as a triumph, with Putin shrugging off the ICC war crimes warrant [[2]].
The failure of Mongolia to take action against Putin has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the ICC and the commitment of its member countries to upholding international law. As the international community continues to grapple with the challenges of holding powerful individuals accountable for their actions, the Mongolian government’s decision serves as a setback for those seeking justice for international crimes.
the Mongolian government’s decision to ignore the ICC arrest warrant for Putin is a disappointment to those who believe in the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their power or position. As the international community continues to navigate the complexities of international justice, it is essential that member countries of the ICC stand firm in their commitment to upholding the law and protecting the victims of international crimes.
References:
– What are the implications for Mongolia if it fails to arrest Putin during his state visit?
Mongolia Faces International Pressure to Arrest Putin or Deny Entry
As Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to visit Mongolia on September 3, human rights organizations and the international community urged the Mongolian government to take a stand and fulfill its obligations as a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mongolia, having joined the ICC in 2003, is bound by the court’s treaty to cooperate with it, including arresting and extraditing suspects who enter its territory [[3]].
The call to action comes after the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in March 2023, for the illegal deportation of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine [[3]]. As a member of the ICC, Mongolia has a duty to arrest and detain Putin
