The Executive today approved a bill to adopt a declaration signed on July 17, 1998, ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and retroactively recognizing the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court under Article 12, paragraph 3.

In the justification of the project, it is mentioned that since the risk of new military aggression against Armenia by Azerbaijan remains high, the early ratification of the ICC Statute by Armenia is essential because after the ratification of the Statute by Armenia, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan crimes committed by the Republic of Armenia in the territory of the Republic of Armenia and provided for by the statute, including war crimes, will be subject to the jurisdiction of the ICC, which will serve as a preventive and deterrent measure for Azerbaijan.

Speaking to Radar Armenia, lawyer Ara Ghazaryan, a specialist in international law, said that this is good in the current situation; it is an additional legal mechanism, but it can also be used against Armenia.

"Azerbaijan can bring certain lawsuits against Armenia regarding specific individuals. But this does not mean that these claims will be valid. In this context, I see risks in terms of propaganda. But it is not necessary to overestimate that risk. It is worth ratifying it," says Ara Ghazaryan, noting a severe problem with the constitution. To implement the goal, it will be necessary to change the shape.

According to Ghazaryan, ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court can start individual criminal prosecution against specific persons in Azerbaijan.

Hayk Magoyan