Lithuania says it is not considering ICC withdrawal

Lithuania is not considering withdrawing from the Hague-based International Criminal Court, the Justice Ministry told LRT, as the United States seeks to undermine the institution.

The ministry said it was aware only of a July 13 public message from the US State Department urging its partners not to recognise the court’s jurisdiction over US officials and military personnel.

“This issue can be addressed through other international law measures and solutions. Withdrawal from the ICC is not being considered in Lithuania,” the ministry said in a response sent to the ELTA news agency.

The ministry said it had no information about a direct request from the United States to Lithuania to suspend or end its participation in the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the court. It added that bilateral discussions normally take place through diplomatic channels via the Foreign Ministry.

LRT sources reported that US officials had signalled to Lithuania that the ICC issue was particularly relevant to countries hosting American troops. The officials have expressed concern over the court’s arrest warrant for the Israeli prime minister and questioned how countries that host US troops would meet their obligations under the Rome Statute.

Lithuania has signed the Rome Statute and has referred alleged Russian war crimes to the court. The ICC has issued an international arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US administration has said it will pressure other countries to withdraw from the ICC and stop providing it with financial support. Washington has accused the court of posing an “intolerable threat” to US sovereignty. The European Union strongly condemned the US move on Tuesday.