Terrorists arrested in Niger to face trial in International Criminal Court

dimeji akinloye

May 24, 2016 4:32 PM

He said the Nigerien government will ensure the terrorists are tried by the ICC.

Detained Boko Haram terrorists

The Government of Nigeria has said it would hand over Boko Haram terrorists in its custody to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for trial.

This was said to have been disclosed by President Mahamadou Issoufou on Tuesday, May 24, during a high-level leaders’ round table titled “Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity” at the ongoing World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.

He said the Nigerien government would ensure the terrorists are tried by the ICC.

“This is something that all countries should do,” Issoufou said.

The best way to protect civilians, he added, is to ratify humanitarian conventions.

“Political, military and administrative authorities must be aware of pledges made by Governments and of the sanctions provided for under those conventions,” he said.

Issoufou added that all countries must take on commitments to respect international humanitarian law and human rights instruments, as well as guarantee that populations in need receive humanitarian aid.

READ: Boko Haram kills 30 fulani herdsmen in Borno

He said that Niger faced multiple humanitarian issues, including population displacement due to terrorists attacks.

The president said Niger has ratified the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

dimeji akinloye