Inside Story – Does the ICC target African states?

First it was Burundi, now South Africa wants out.

It says it will withdraw from the International Criminal Court – which was set up to prosecute those accused of serious crimes against humanity.

Several African states have accused the ICC of unfairly targeting the continent. Uganda’s president went so far as to call it “useless”.

South Africa’s decision comes a year after it was criticised for ignoring an order to arrest Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir while he was visiting the country. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Bashir, who’s accused of committing war crimes in Sudan’s Darfur region.

So, is the ICC biased against African nations?

Presenter: Martine Dennis

Guests:

Dewa Mavhinga – Senior Researcher & Head of South Africa Office, Human Rights Watch

Courtenay Griffiths – Former lead Defence Counsel for Charles Taylor.

Tom Maliti – Journalist who’s specialised in the International Criminal Court.


About This Source - Al Jazeera English

The video item below is a piece of English language content from Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera is a Qatari state-funded broadcaster based in Doha, Qatar, owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network.

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In This Story: Burundi

Burundi, officially the Republic of Burundi, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. It is bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; Lake Tanganyika lies along its southwestern border. The capital cities are Gitega and Bujumbura.

Burundi gained independence in 1962. Roughly 85% of the population are of Hutu ethnic origin, 15% are Tutsi, and fewer than 1% are indigenous Twa. The official languages of Burundi are Kirundi and French, Kirundi being recognised officially as the sole national language.

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