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The spokesperson for the International Criminal Court (ICC) – better known as The Hague Tribunal – Fadi Elabdallah, publicly stated that Brazil is obligated to cooperate with the international court as one of the signatory countries of the Rome Statute.
The controversy arises because the court issued a warrant for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, on charges of forced deportation of children from Ukraine, a country with which Russia is at war. Lula da Silva declared that he would not arrest Putin if he came to Brazil, demonstrating a complete lack of awareness of the country’s international positions.
Fadi also emphasized that Brazil’s obligation to cooperate with the Court arises from Article 9 of the Statute, which states that the Court may request information or documents from intergovernmental organizations, as well as seek cooperation and assistance, which must be accepted. When a signatory fails to cooperate with The Hague Tribunal, the matter can be submitted to the assembly.
“I didn’t even know this tribunal existed,” Lula da Silva said about the International Criminal Court, and he continued to criticize the organization, characterizing the signatory countries as having little influence in world geopolitics.
Lula da Silva’s lines caused deep discomfort among the members of his own party and he was forced to retreat, pushing the decision to arrest or not Putin to the Brazilian Judiciary (a procedure that is not correct either).
Source: Metropolis