Peru will ask the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government's inner circle for crimes against humanity and for violating human rights, Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Nestor Popolizio announced.
Popolizio's remarks were made in a press conference with national and international media.
The initiative has the support of four other South American nations: Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Paraguay.
As the
IACHR stated in its report, "for several years now, the Inter-American Commission has been observing the weakness of democratic institutions and the progressive deterioration of the
human rights situation in Venezuela, both of which became more widespread and much more marked as of 2015 and, especially, in 2017."
According to the Peruvian diplomat, the Inca country's request might be submitted in a couple of weeks.
Once it is formally filed, the Court shall initiate a preliminary investigation, whose results will determine whether
human rights abuse and crimes against humanity were committed.
If so, the Court may initiate a process against Maduro and his government's inner circle.
ICC
The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
(END) CVC/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/22/2018