ICC judges seek UN clarification on Afghanistan rulers
ABC News
International Criminal Court judges have decided to ask the United Nations Secretary-General for information on who represents Afghanistan at international bodies following the Taliban’s sweep to power in August
THE HAGUE, Netherlands -- International Criminal Court judges decided Friday to ask the United Nations Secretary-General for information on who represents Afghanistan at international bodies following the Taliban's sweep to power in August.
The request is intended to clarify the status of Afghanistan's new leadership as judges prepare to rule on a request by the global court's new prosecutor last month for permission to resume an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity linked to Afghanistan's conflict since 2002.
In a written ruling, judges said that “for several reasons including the fast pace of relevant developments, and the short time elapsed since they materialized, there is still a large margin of uncertainty as to the legal implications of those events, including for the purposes of international law and international relations.”
The judges also asked the court's Assembly of States Parties for the same clarification. Afghanistan is a member, or state party, of the court.
