The Law and Policy Advisor at Amnesty International (AI), Fisseha Tekle, recently called for cooperation between states in anticipation of the signing of a treaty. The aim of this treaty is to foster international cooperation in the prosecution of international crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
The agreement, known as the Hague Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) treaty, was set to be signed in the Hague. In his statement, Tekle ardently encouraged all states to adopt the treaty without reservations. He stressed the urgency, citing conflicts in areas like Gaza Strip, Ukraine, and Sudan, and articulated the need for strengthening the framework of international law through developments such as this treaty.
With 68 states agreeing to the treaty in May 2023, the agreement establishes state obligations concerning legal cooperation and extradition in crime investigations. It seeks to enhance international law to fight against impunity for crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other international crimes.
The focus of the treaty is also to address specific deficiencies in international law concerning details of mutual legal assistance and to strengthen national judicial systems. Tekle stressed the importance of legal cooperation between states, underscored the necessity of fortifying domestic mechanisms to pursue those who have committed violations of international law effectively.
Furthermore, Tekle stated that the treaty helps to ensure fewer safe havens for those suspected of criminal responsibility and hailed it as a significant advancement against impunity.
Read more about it at Jurist.