Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed that he will not attend the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg this November.
His absence stems from an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in March 2023, accusing him of war crimes. Specifically, the ICC has charged Putin with the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine, a serious allegation that has led to his decision to avoid the summit.
The arrest warrant remains a significant hurdle for Putin’s international travel, especially in countries that are signatories to the Rome Statute, which governs the ICC. As a result, his participation in high-profile events like the G20 is no longer viable under the current legal circumstances.
South Africa’s Legal Obligation to Arrest Putin
South Africa, which will host the G20 Summit, faces a complex legal situation.
According to Zane Dangor, Director-General of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), the country would be required to arrest Putin should he attend the summit. This legal obligation stems from South Africa’s commitment as a member state to the ICC.
Dangor elaborated on the issue during a media briefing following the first G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg. He noted that this situation mirrors what happened with the BRICS Summit in 2023 when Putin opted not to attend for similar reasons.
Clarifying Legal Concerns Surrounding Putin’s Absence
In the aftermath of the BRICS Summit, South African officials sought clarity from the ICC regarding the status of the arrest warrant.
Dangor explained that consultations were made to confirm whether the warrant process had been fully completed and if Article 98—an immunity clause for heads of state—had been respected.
However, South African officials clarified that the interpretation of Article 98 has since changed, meaning the country must enforce arrest warrants issued by the ICC, even if the individual involved is a sitting head of state.
Dangor emphasized that all state parties to the Rome Statute are legally bound to fulfill their obligations when an arrest warrant is issued.
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