Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on South Africa and Burundi and the International Criminal Court

The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Policy expressed her regret on 21 October 2016 over the decision by Burundi and South Africa to initiate the process of withdrawal from the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

She confirmed that the EU and its member states remained staunch upholders of the ICC and committed to full co-operation on the prevention of serious crimes falling under the jurisdiction of the Court.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 24.10.16: Is this the end for the International Criminal Court? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37750978

Sputnik International, 24.10.16: South African Opposition Party Challenges Gov't ICC Decision in Court http://sptnkne.ws/c6wz

The Guardian, 21.10.16: South Africa to quit international criminal court https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/21/south-africa-to-quit-international-criminal-court-document-shows

The Wall Street Journal, 21.10.16: South Africa to Withdraw From International Criminal Court http://www.wsj.com/articles/south-africa-to-withdraw-from-international-criminal-court-1477038370

BBC News, 21.10.16: South Africa to withdraw from war crimes court http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37724724

HRW: News, 22.10.16: South Africa: Continent Wide Outcry at ICC Withdrawal https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/10/22/south-africa-continent-wide-outcry-icc-withdrawal

Euronews, 21.10.16: South Africa to withdraw from the ICC http://www.euronews.com/2016/10/21/south-africa-to-withdraw-from-the-icc

France24, 22.10.16: South Africa’s decision to leave ICC a 'blow to victims' of international crimes http://www.france24.com/en/20161021-icc-withdrawal-south-africa-victims-will-pay-price-critics

Deutsche Welle, 19.10.16: Burundi's withdrawal from ICC could tempt others http://dw.com/p/2RRMr

RFI, 19.10.16: Burundi opposition urges sanctions over war crimes court withdrawal http://en.rfi.fr/africa/20161019-burundis-opposition-urge-sanctions-response-withdrawal-war-crimes-court

ESO: Background information: Statement by the Spokesperson on Chad and the International Criminal Court http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-spokesperson-on-chad-and-the-international-criminal-court/

Euro|Topics: Debates, November 2016: International Criminal Court in crisis http://www.eurotopics.net/en/168829/international-criminal-court-in-crisis

EurActiv, 09.11.16: Future of ICC in doubt after African countries withdraw http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/future-of-icc-in-doubt-after-african-countries-withdraw/

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