By David Coltart
14 October 2013
Thank God for Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He is now campaigning that African States should not withdraw from the International Criminal Court. For all the problems associated with this relatively new body an African pull out would be disastrous for international justice. Whilst all the tyrants of the world will be exultant it will mean that despots like Charles Taylor can act with impunity in future.
Zimbabwe has not joined the ICC and in the Zanu PF mouthpiece the Herald this morning it is stated that it “is not party to the treaty on the strength of its deep-rooted belief in domestic legal systems”. Of course that is Zanu PF’s “deep rooted belief in domestic legal systems” not the people of Zimbabwe’s belief in those “domestic systems”. Zanu PF led the charge against the SADC Tribunal so domestic does not clearly mean African or even Southern African courts – it means our courts within Zimbabwe. It is these courts which have been hand picked for decades and the vast majority of judges have received farms and are clearly aligned to Zanu PF. It is no wonder that Zanu PF has this deep rooted belief in their own judges because they know that that “domestic system” will perpetuate impunity in Zimbabwe.
The beloved “Arch” is right on the money when he says: “Far from being anti-African the ICC’s chief prosecutor, vice-president and five of its judges are Africans and its interventions have saved countless lives in Africa. Those who fear being prosecuted by the ICC should not be allowed to lead Africa by the nose”.
http://www.herald.co.zw/tutu-fights-african-pullout-from-icc/