Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr Karim A. A. Khan, Prosecutor, International Criminal Court (ICC) “to urgently issue a formal ‘preventative statement’ in relation to the ongoing violence, unlawful killings, crimes against children and other violations of international law in Plateau State of Nigeria.”
SERAP also urged Mr Khan “to undertake preliminary examination into the situation in Plateau State and to open an investigation or extend any current investigations to cover the ongoing situation in the state.”
The Organization urged Mr Khan “to visit Plateau State to show the commitment by your Office to deliver meaningful accountability and justice for the victims of the Plateau attacks and to deploy resources from the Trust Fund that your Office has established in order to ensure access of victims to effective remedies including reparations.”
This was disclosed in a letter dated Saturday and signed by SERAP deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
Over 190 people were reportedly killed, hundreds injured and several others missing as a result of the recent crisis in Plateau.
The petition read in part: “There is a reasonable basis to believe that crimes under international law and within the jurisdiction of the ICC have been committed in the ongoing violence in Plateau State.
“These allegations are also sufficiently grave to warrant a formal statement and preliminary examination by your Office.
“Your intervention in the situation in Plateau State would demonstrate your oft-repeated promise to strengthen the rule of law at the international level to the benefit of everyone.
“The focus on victims provided for in the Rome Statute creates an important platform for advancing human rights in Plateau State through the ICC.”