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Nigeria should rescind U.S. war crimes pact-Senate

Posted on: Thursday, 18 August 2005, 10:33 CDT

LAGOS (Reuters) - The Nigerian Senate has passed a resolution calling on the executive to rescind a pact signed with the United States prohibiting the surrender of suspected war criminals to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The two sides signed an agreement in June 2003 promising not to extradite citizens of either country to the court, which is opposed by Washington, despite Nigeria's pre-existing signature on the Rome Statute establishing the ICC.

"The executive should rescind from the agreement signed with the United States of America by giving the stipulated one year notice of intent to terminate the agreement," said the resolution released to Reuters on Thursday.

The Senate reminded the executive that the constitution gives the National Assembly the right to rule on international treaties and warned it not to enter agreements that nullify Nigeria's existing international obligations. Senate resolutions are not legally binding on the government.

The resolution reflects a growing confidence within the National Assembly to challenge executive powers in a country ruled by military dictators for 15 years until 1999.

Nigeria is the fifth largest oil supplier to the United States and has become a strong Washington ally under President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Hague-based court was created in 1998 to try individuals for genocide, war crimes and other major human rights violations.

Washington calls the court "fatally flawed," expressing fear it will expose U.S. soldiers and officials serving in foreign countries to frivolous or ideologically motivated prosecutions.

Court backers say there are ample safeguards in place to prevent this.

Source: REUTERS

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