Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations

Statement by Gennady Kuzmin, Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN, at UNSC open VTC on ICC report (Libya)

Mme. President,

In any armed conflict, the most important thing is to put an end to the bloodshed and sufferings of the civil population. To ensure this, the conflicting sides need to sit down at the negotiation table.

The Libyan crisis may only have a political and diplomatic solution. There is no alternative to peaceful settlement that would meet the interests of all elements of the Libyan community.

We regret that the once powerful state of Libya now is lying in ruins because of a NATO intervention, and that the whole region has to pay off for the consequences of those illegal actions.

We welcome the signing of domestic ceasefire agreement in Libya, and call on the sides to observe their obligations under it. We also commend the ongoing round of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum as a means of ensuring peaceful settlement in the country. In our contacts with a wide range of Libyan stakeholders, we call on them to join this dialogue in a constructive and responsible manner.

Many believe that to hold the guilty accountable means to unlock the path towards peace. This is not always the case, especially when the matter touches upon a biased, politicized and incompetent international judicial body.

ICC Prosecutor’s report that was presented today, same as all the preceding reports on Libya, is another proof of the strategy of discriminate justice that the ICC has chosen.  

When dealing with the events of 2011, the Court decided not to investigate deaths of civilians caused by NATO strikes. Same approaches are characteristic of investigations of crimes committed in Tripoli, Tarhuna and their suburbs. The ICC is not likely to take real steps to investigate the acts committed by all sides to the Libyan conflict.  

Therefore, a question begs itself: does the ICC serve as a stabilizing factor or as an obstacle to the peace process? Once Libya has ensured sustainable peace, its national judicial system will be able hold the guilty to account by its own efforts. They will not need the ICC.  

Thank you.