HRF condemns the move by the Venezuelan regime to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is one of the last avenues available to Venezuelan victims to pursue justice and accountability as domestic courts remain co-opted. All democracies must collaborate with the ICC to support its ongoing investigation into the regime’s crimes against humanity.
On July 24, the Venezuelan regime formally announced its withdrawal from the ICC. Article 127 of the Rome Statute clarifies that all ongoing investigations and acts committed while the Court had jurisdiction are not affected, which means that the investigation of crimes committed since 2014 will carry on and incorporate all acts committed until the withdrawal comes into effect a year after the notification.
The investigation from the ICC has not met the expectations of the victims and their advocates. Since it was officially launched in 2021, there have been no meaningful updates, even during the brutal post-electoral crackdown of 2024. The investigation was also marred by scandals, culminating in the recusal of the chief prosecutor of the ICC due to a conflict of interest. However, victims still look to the ICC for justice, and its efforts must be supported.
As the regime continues to hold on to power, losing the ICC means that Venezuelans will be left with no competent independent court to hear their cases. While there is an ongoing trial in Argentina against Venezuelan officials under universal jurisdiction, domestic courts have a harder time enforcing their orders and rulings than internationally recognized tribunals, making the ICC’s work crucially important.
