Sir

Along with many others, Liberty welcomed last week's long-anticipated entry into force of the International Criminal Court (ICC), an independent body aiming to prosecute the authors of crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Yet almost immediately, the ICC is under attack. We are very concerned by proposals which would guarantee the immunity of any particular group of nationals and thereby undermine the very basis of the ICC. Liberty welcomes European Union Member States' opposition to these attempts to thwart the integrity of the Court, by claiming immunity for UN forces. We are also concerned about the attempt to veto the renewal of the United Nations' Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovinia to try and enforce such immunity.

The UK government should resist these attacks on the ICC. The proposed amendments undermine the fundamental principles of the ICC particularly Article 27 which provides that no person should be immune from prosecution for crimes of the ICC jurisdiction. If the new proposals were adopted, Member States would be forced to violate their Convention obligations. This would create a landmark precedent - and the possibility of the Security Council seeking to change the provisions of a Treaty by resolution.

There should be no impunity for the most serious crimes: we hope that respect for the human rights of all will prevail in these discussions.

Yours
John Wadham

Director
Liberty
21 Tabard Street
London SE1 4LA