Venezuela and ICC explore formulas for cooperation and joint technical assistance

Venezuela and the International Criminal Court (ICC) advanced this week in exploring formulas for cooperation and joint technical assistance.

This was announced this Thursday by the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, after receiving the visit of the chief prosecutor of the ICC, Karim Khan, at Miraflores Palace in Caracas. The Head of State reported that the Prosecutor’s Office will establish a technical assistance office in our country, within the framework of the agreements signed last November in the understanding memorandum with the Venezuelan State.

He explained that Khan arrived in our country last Tuesday and held two important work meetings with “an interactive dialogue” and in an atmosphere of cooperation.

Likewise, he pointed out that the understanding memorandum contains “the elements of the processes of institutional complementarity” between the Venezuelan State and the ICC Prosecutor’s Office, with the commitment to establish a joint technical assistance office “that will facilitate an effective, more efficient dialogue in real time”.

I welcome the fact that the ICC, with its capacity and background, comes with an office so that Venezuela advances even further in the exercise of its rights. You have the doors of Venezuela open. We are the first interested in the enjoyment of human, social and political rights by our people. We are the first interested in seeing justice done”, he expressed.

In addition, he stressed that a process of profound reform of the Judiciary branch is being carried out, “based on a great social, institutional and political dialogue”.

President Maduro recalled that our country “has a State of law and justice” established in the Bolivarian Constitution of 1999, with chapters reserved for human and social rights.

On his behalf, prosecutor Karim Khan stressed he has maintained a frank and fruitful exchange with President Maduro.

He pointed out that last November it was agreed, with the signing of the memorandum of understanding, to initiate an impartial and independent investigation, “with a sincere and in good faith action”.