Rewritten Article:
Vladimir Putin Sails Ahead with Mongolia Visit Amid ICC Arrest Warrant Controversy
Russian President Vladimir Putin maintains his travel plans to Mongolia, brushing off fears of detainment stemming from the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. Dmitry Peskov, Putin's press secretary, remains cool as a cucumber about Putin's impending journey to the nation, an ICC member, where the court has issued an arrest warrant against Putin last year over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
As claimed by the ICC, Putin played a role in the forced deployment of Ukrainian children from occupied territories to Russia. If Putin decides to tread on Mongolian soil, the country, bound by the Rome Statute, is expected to apprehend Putin immediately. However, the court lacks the power to enforce this demand. The same scenario played out in 2015 when former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir visited South Africa, an ICC member, without being detained, inciting a storm among human rights activists.
Amidst mounting worries over Putin's possible detention by the ICC, Peskov shows no signs of concern. In response to a group of reporters on Friday, Peskov described his upcoming interactions with Mongolian friends as "outstanding." Putin will reportedly attend an invitation from President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to participate in celebrations marking the 85th anniversary of the victory of Soviet and Mongolian troops over the Japanese military at the Battle of Khalkhin Gol.
Reacting to the prospect of Putin's visit, an ICC spokesperson, Fadi El Abdallah, underscored Mongolia's obligation to cooperate with the court. Typically, the ICC relies on its member states to enforce its decisions, including arrest warrants. If Mongolia refuses to cooperate, the judges may voice their concerns to the Assembly of States Parties, who might then take appropriate measures, although El Abdallah did not specify the potential actions.
It's yet to be seen if the ICC's arrest warrant will be executed during Putin's visit to Mongolia, an ICC member.
Optional Insights:
If Mongolia, as a member state of the ICC, fails to comply with the ICC's arrest warrant for Putin, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) could take a series of potential actions:
- Referral to the Security Council: The ASP could request the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to deal with Mongolia's non-compliance with its obligations under the Rome Statute. This would involve a formal plea to the UNSC to impose sanctions against Mongolia to ensure compliance with the ICC's judgments[3].
- Exercising Management Oversight: The ASP could exercise its management oversight powers to address Mongolia's non-compliance. This might include reviewing Mongolia's cooperation with the ICC, investigating the causes of non-compliance, and penalizing Mongolia with disciplinary measures, such as revoking voting rights or other forms of censure[1].
- Involving the Judicial Division: If the issue is related to an ongoing case, the ASP could engage the Judicial Division of the ICC to deal with any judicial aspects of the non-compliance. This could lead to a judgment from the Pre-Trial Chamber concerning Mongolia's non-cooperation, potentially causing further legal actions[3].
- Issuing Public Statements and Diplomatic Pressure: The ASP could release a statement criticizing Mongolia's non-compliance and urging it to uphold its obligations under the Rome Statute. This could also involve diplomatic pressure from other member states to persuade Mongolia to adhere to its international commitments[2].
- Membership Status Review: In severe cases, if Mongolia's non-compliance persists and is recurrent, the ASP might consider re-evaluating Mongolia's membership in the ICC. This would involve a formal assessment of Mongolia's actions against its responsibilities as a member state, potentially leading to suspension or expulsion from the ICC[1].
These actions aim to guarantee that member states comply with the ICC's decisions and uphold the rule of law, while preserving the integrity and efficacy of the ICC as an international judicial body.
