Human rights group rejects Venezuela's ICC exit, cites ongoing investigations

The Venezuelan human rights organization Provea has strongly opposed the country's decision to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC). Provea emphasized that the withdrawal, announced by Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia, will not immediately take effect. According to the Rome Statute, Venezuela will remain a party to the court for one year after its formal notification.

“

the withdrawal will not affect the investigations opened so far nor those that begin during the next year.

This means the ICC can continue to investigate alleged crimes committed in Venezuela during this period and prior. Provea highlighted that Venezuela's obligations to cooperate with the court, including honoring potential future arrest warrants, remain in force. The organization pointed out that the withdrawal does not nullify existing duties to cooperate with investigations initiated before the effective date of departure.

“

The obligations of cooperation of the Venezuelan State are maintained, including the fulfillment of arrest warrants that may be made public in the future.

The Venezuelan government, led by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, had accused the ICC of bias and of targeting "global south" nations. However, the ICC acknowledged Venezuela's sovereign right to withdraw but noted it had not yet received formal notification. The court reiterated that Venezuela's cooperation is still required for ongoing investigations, which began with a preliminary examination in 2018 and a formal probe in 2021. The ICC authorized the resumption of its investigation in June 2023 after finding that Venezuela's domestic proceedings did not adequately address the case's scope.

“

adhering to or abandoning an international treaty remains a sovereign right of States.