Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Mr. Karim A. A. Khan, Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), to issue a formal ‘preventative statement’ regarding the ongoing violence, unlawful killings, crimes against children, and other violations of international law in Plateau State, Nigeria.
In a letter dated Saturday and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization urged Mr. Khan to undertake a preliminary examination into the situation in Plateau State and extend any current investigations to cover the ongoing crisis. SERAP also requested Mr. Khan to visit Plateau State, demonstrating the ICC’s commitment to delivering accountability and justice for the victims of the attacks.
The letter emphasized the need to deploy resources from the ICC’s Trust Fund to ensure victims’ access to effective remedies, including reparations.
The call comes in the wake of reports that over 190 people were killed, hundreds injured, and several others missing due to the recent crisis in Plateau State.
In their petition, SERAP stated, “There is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes under international law and within the jurisdiction of the ICC have been committed in the ongoing violence in Plateau State.
These allegations are also sufficiently grave to warrant a formal statement and preliminary examination by your Office.”
SERAP highlighted the importance of the ICC’s focus on victims, as provided for in the Rome Statute, in advancing human rights in Plateau State through international intervention.
The organization’s appeal to the ICC underscores the gravity of the situation in Plateau State and the urgent need for international intervention to address the violations of human rights and international law.
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