Statement by Deputy Permanent Representative Gennady Kuzmin at an open VTC of UNSC members "Report of the International Criminal Court on the situation in Libya"
Mr. President,
We are glad to see significant progress at the track of Libyan political settlement. We welcome the establishment of new power authorities for the transitional period – the Presidential Council, the Government of National Unity. We hope that the new executive bodies will be able to unite state structures and institutions, as well as the armed forces. If these tasks are carried out successfully, it will create all the necessary conditions for the constitutional referendum and general elections, scheduled for 24 December 2021.
As we take it from the 21st report, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court started to actively tackle the Libyan National Army, while still turning a blind eye to the crimes of those who once plunged the country into chaos. The ICC area of interest for some reason does not cover the numerous human casualties that resulted from NATO air strikes. Even when investigating into the cases that the Office designated as priorities, the prosecutors get by with information from private individuals and NGOs.
Mr. President,
The most important thing now is to commit to overcoming the deep internal political crisis in Libya, ensure national accord with due account for the interests of all parts of the Libyan society. We do not think the activity of the ICC is a helpful component in this process.
