Brussels - The Hague: Europe and the Arabs
The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that his office had received a referral from five countries - South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti - regarding the situation in the State of Palestine. According to what was stated in a statement issued by the court’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, a copy of which we received on Friday evening, and published by the United Nations in its daily bulletin, a copy of which we received on Saturday morning.
“In receiving the referral, my office confirms that it is currently investigating the situation in the State of Palestine,” Attorney General Karim Khan said in a statement. The Attorney General’s investigation into the situation in Palestine began on March 3, 2021 - which includes conduct that may amount to crimes. stipulated in the Rome Statute and have been committed since June 13, 2014 in Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, according to the court.
Karim Khan said that investigations are continuing and extend to the escalation of hostilities and violence since the attacks of October 7, 2023.
He stressed that, in accordance with the Rome Statute, his office has jurisdiction over crimes committed on the territory of a State Party and in relation to citizens of States Parties.
A specialized team to enhance the investigation
The Prosecutor of the Criminal Court said that at the beginning of his term in June 2021, he formed - for the first time - a specialized team to strengthen the investigation regarding the situation in the State of Palestine.
He referred to what he stated during his recent visit to the Rafah crossing, that the unified team is proceeding, in accordance with its mandate, with a focus on collecting, preserving and analyzing information and communications from key stakeholders regarding relevant incidents.
He said that the office collected a large amount of information and evidence, including through what was received through the secure platform for receiving submissions.
Karim Khan urged all those with relevant information to contact his office, stressing that his office will continue its engagement with all relevant actors, whether national authorities, civil society, survivor groups or international partners, to move this investigation forward.
He added: “I will also continue my efforts to visit the State of Palestine and Israel in order to meet survivors, listen to civil society organizations, and communicate with relevant national counterparts. I am ready to work with all parties, including completing local accountability efforts, in order to ensure justice for those affected by the crimes stipulated stipulated in the Rome Statute.
Karim Khan called on all relevant actors to fully cooperate with his office. He also called on all States Parties to the Rome Statute to provide his Office with the tools it needs to be able to implement its mandate effectively, in all situations.