NEWS
ICC Issues Arrest Warrant For Putin
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken the unprecedented step of issuing arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova.
The warrants are related to allegations of war crimes committed by Russia, including the forced taking of Ukrainian children.
The court said in a news release on Friday the two are “allegedly responsible for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population (children) and that of unlawful transfer of population (children) from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation.”
The move by the Hague’s criminal court has marked a significant step by requesting the arrest of a sitting world leader, though analysts admit that the chances of actually arresting President Putin are slim.
However, officials in Moscow were quick to point out that Russia has never signed on as a party to the ICC and have therefore dismissed the charges outright.
“The very question itself is outrageous and unacceptable,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “Russia, like a number of other states, does not recognize the jurisdiction of this court, and therefore any of its decisions are insignificant for the Russian Federation from a legal viewpoint.”
Andriy Kostin, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General, has hailed the criminal court’s decision as “historic.”
Despite Ukraine not being a party to the ICC, Kostin emphasized that the government has cooperated with the court on criminal investigations within its territory.
He also disclosed that his office provided the ICC with over 1,000 pages of documents regarding the alleged forcible deportation of children to Russia.
Last month, a report by Yale University researchers and the U.S. State Department alleged that the Russian government is operating a systematic network of custody centers holding thousands of Ukrainian children.
While Russian officials have acknowledged the arrival of Ukrainian children in the country, they have claimed that the centers are part of a large humanitarian program designed to care for abandoned or war-traumatized orphans.
ICC President Piotr Hofmanski said the judges decided to make these warrants public to try to deter further crimes.
“It is forbidden by international law for occupying powers to transfer civilians from the territories where they live to other territories,” he said. “Children enjoy special protection under the Geneva Convention.”
“I hoped (this would happen), but I didn’t know it would be this quick,” said Nathaniel Raymond, executive director of the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab.
“This is a stunning move by the court, which has moved right to the top of the Russian state,” said David Bosco, author of Rough Justice: The International Criminal Court in a World of Power Politics.
However, Bosco cautioned, “The arrest warrant won’t have immediate implications because no trial can move forward without Putin being in custody and there’s no chance of that happening in the near future.”
While the possibility of trying Putin remains a difficult task, human rights advocates have welcomed the news as a major step forward.
“This is a big day for the many victims of crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine since 2014,” Human Rights Watch said in a statement. “With these arrest warrants, the ICC has made Putin a wanted man and taken its first step to end the impunity that has emboldened perpetrators in Russia’s war against Ukraine for far too long.”
Amnesty International has called on countries to deny safe haven for Putin and Lvova-Belova by arresting them and handing them over to the ICC.
The organization also predicted that further arrest warrants may be issued for Russian leaders as the investigations into war crimes in Ukraine continue to develop.
Despite Russia’s vehement rejection of allegations of war crimes committed by its forces in Ukraine, the country has made little secret of its relocation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
The Russian government has presented the move as a noble humanitarian effort, while critics have raised concerns about the conditions in which the children are being kept.
In February, President Putin hosted a meeting at the Kremlin with Lvova-Belova, the children’s rights commissioner, during which they openly discussed Russian adoption programs for Ukrainian children in occupied territories of Ukraine, including Lvova-Belova’s own teenage son.
A transcript of the conversation is posted on the Kremlin’s website.
“You also adopted a child from Mariupol, is that right?” asked Putin.
“Yes, Vladimir Vladimirovich,” Lvova-Belova responded, using the Russian leader’s patronymic. “Thanks to you.”
Ukraine’s decision to halt adoptions after Russia’s invasion of the country is a significant admission. International children’s rights groups have argued that countries have a legal obligation under international law to prohibit adoptions of Ukrainian children during wartime.
On Friday, November 22, 2024, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah was laid to rest in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State.
The funeral, held at his residence in Umuanuka, Otolo Nnewi, was attended by a multitude of mourners, including political figures, business associates, and community members, all paying their final respects to the esteemed businessman and politician.
The burial proceedings commenced with a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by condolence visits and other funeral activities. The ceremonies are scheduled to continue through the weekend, culminating in a Thanksgiving Mass and Outing Service on Sunday, November 24, at St. Peter Claver Catholic Church in Otolo Nnewi.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Anambra Senator, Ubah, Dies In London
In light of security concerns, Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, ordered the closure of schools in Nnewi for a week. This decision followed threats from separatist elements who vowed to attack those attending the burial. A circular from the state Ministry of Education directed school principals to inform parents and ensure students remained at home during this period.
The Anambra State Police Command addressed an incident that occurred on Wednesday night, clarifying that it was not related to the burial. According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the incident involved security operatives mistakenly engaging police personnel, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The situation has since been brought under control.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. His death was met with an outpouring of grief from across the nation, with many acknowledging his significant contributions to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
As the community of Nnewi and the nation at large bid farewell to Senator Ubah, his legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and public servant continues to resonate, leaving an indelible mark on those he served and inspired.
The Enugu State Government has commended the Republic of Finland for the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based leader of the proscribed separatist group, Autopilots.
Ekpa has been accused of orchestrating violence and chaos in Nigeria’s South East region.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the government described Ekpa as a “common criminal, con man, and terrorist” who has exploited the Igbo people while claiming to represent their interests.
RELATED NEWS: Finnish Police Arrest Simon Ekpa Over Terror-Related Allegations
“The Enugu State Government welcomes the arrest of the Finland-based terrorist, Simon Ekpa,” the statement read.
“His arrest and trial will no doubt go a long way in strengthening peace, security, and stability in all parts of the South East.”
The state government accused Ekpa of sponsoring violent activities that have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and disruption of the region’s economic activities.
It stated that Ekpa’s actions were driven by personal greed and not genuine concern for the Igbo people.
Onyia said, “Ekpa is a murderer and fraudster who delights in killing his people and living large off their misery.
“He thrives on manipulating, exploiting, and extorting the people on the pretext of fighting for their interest and for the restoration of Biafra.”
The government emphasized its readiness to provide evidence of Ekpa’s alleged crimes to support his prosecution, whether in Finland or Nigeria.
“This arrest is in line with the demand of the Governor Peter Mbah Administration, which has repeatedly made it known that Ekpa is a megalomaniac, common criminal, murderer, and fraudster who takes joy in feeding fat on the manipulated emotions of Ndigbo and inflicting misery on the South East region,” the statement added.
The government further criticized Ekpa for fostering a climate of fear and insecurity that has harmed the entrepreneurial spirit and economic growth of the Igbo people.
“Ekpa has for long, and unfortunately from Finland, made a living by creating a siege climate and mentality in the South East, destroying lives, property, and the Igbo trademark of entrepreneurship and hard work,” Onyia said.
The Enugu State Government expressed optimism that Ekpa’s arrest would mark a turning point in the quest for peace and stability in the South East, urging residents to remain vigilant and supportive of ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the region.
The COP29 presidency has unveiled an ambitious climate finance plan, calling on developed nations to provide $250 billion annually to developing countries by 2035.
The proposal, part of a broader initiative to mobilize $1.3 trillion from public and private sources each year, seeks to address the mounting challenges posed by climate change.
The five-page draft text, released on Friday, emphasizes the need for developed nations to lead the charge in financing climate action.
RELATED NEWS: COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations
According to the document, this financial commitment is seen as a critical step toward combating the climate crisis and fostering sustainable development globally.
“In this context, it is decided to set a goal in extension of the goal referred to in paragraph 53 of decision 1/CP.21, with developed country Parties taking the lead, to USD 250 billion per year by 2035 for developing country Parties for climate action,” the draft states.
The announcement follows the release of an earlier 10-page draft on Thursday, which drew significant criticism from Global South delegations.
Many expressed frustration that the document lacked clear financial commitments from wealthier nations, falling short of expectations to support adaptation and mitigation efforts.
“There is a clear need to address the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, especially given the diverse circumstances shaping national priorities,” a negotiator from a developing country delegation remarked.
The updated proposal aims to address some of these concerns by outlining more specific targets. However, skepticism remains among some negotiators, who feel the revisions still fail to adequately address their demands.
Meanwhile, developed countries have raised their own reservations about the proposed plan.
A European negotiator, speaking to Reuters, described the $250 billion annual target as unrealistic and criticized the lack of measures to expand the pool of contributing countries.
“No one is comfortable with the number because it’s high, and there’s almost nothing on broadening the contributor base,” the negotiator said.
The mixed reactions underscore the persistent divide between developed and developing nations in climate negotiations.
While the draft text aims to reconcile these differences, the gap between expectations and commitments remains a significant hurdle.
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