UN, allies upset as US opts out of criminal court

Announcing its decision to withdraw from the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court, the United States formally informed the United Nations it has no obligation arising out of a statute signed by the Clinton administration on December 30, 2000.

The US has outraged Human Rights groups and angered its European allies who had advised against it but was warmly welcomed by several conservative organisations and republican lawmakers. Criticising the US for the decision, the UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson said today that US’s repudiation of the treaty has sent out a ‘‘very dangerous signal’’.

She said Washington’s decision, citing flaws in the court’s mandate which would leave it unaccountable, was ‘‘very regrettable and quite serious’’. ‘‘It has been known the US did not favour ratifying the ICC. But to move to unsign or to set aside what has been signed is a very dangerous signal’’ she said. ‘‘This is another act of rejection of international law,’’ she added, admitting it was ‘‘more symbolic than otherwise.’’