ICC Prosecutor: We Have No Jurisdiction Over Gaddafi War Crimes

I’m not a fan of universal jurisdiction, but this really takes the cake. Here’s a statement on Libya by Luis Moreno-Ocampo, the International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor, on Libya.

“The decision to do justice in Libya should be taken by the Libyan people. Currently, Libya is not a State Party to the Rome Statute. Therefore, intervention by the ICC on the alleged crimes committed in Libya can occur only if the Libyan authorities accept the jurisdiction of the Court, (through article 12(3) of the Rome Statute). In the absence of such step, the United Nations Security Council can decide to refer the situation to the Court. The Office of the Prosecutor will act only after either decision is taken”.

Libyans will know what to do with Gaddafi. He’ll be very, very lucky to make it to The Hague alive.