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AP

The ICC has mainly been concerned with conflict in Africa

Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an order to

withdraw the nation from the process of joining the
International Criminal Court (ICC).
Russia signed the Rome statute, which governs the ICC, in 2000 but
never ratified the agreement to become a member.
The decision came after an ICC ruling that Russia's activity in

Crimea amounted to an "ongoing occupation".

Russia thus joins the US and other nations which have rejected the
court.
The court ruled Russia's 2014 takeover of the Crimea peninsula had
been an armed conflict between it and Ukraine. This would mean the
annexation fell under the court's jurisdiction.
But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the wording "contradicts
reality", while the foreign ministry called the court "one-sided and
inefficient".
Russia has found itself the subject of the court's focus on more than
one occasion. Earlier this year, the ICC authorised an
investigation into the 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict in South
Ossetia.
In response to Russia's withdrawal, the court's chief prosecutor said:
"We owe it to future generations not to abandon the ICC."
The ICC was established to pass judgement on four international
crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes
of aggression.

Withdrawals
The US initially signed the Rome statute under the Clinton
administration but later withdrew, under the leadership of George W
Bush.
Sudan and Israel have also withdrawn their signatures in the past,
while other nations - including China and India - have rejected
membership outright.
Earlier this year, South Africa, Burundi and The Gambia all decided
to withdraw completely. Several other African nations have also
expressed doubt over the court's future, amid allegations that it is
too focused on countries within the continent.
In the court's 14-year history it has only brought charges against
Africans.

Analysis: Anna Holligan, The Hague

Russia is neither a member of the ICC nor a donor country. There is

a sense here that this was a symbolic announcement, designed to
undermine the legitimacy of the court at a time of unprecedented
uncertainty following the withdrawal of three African nations.
And there are rumours more could follow - Kenya, Namibia and
Uganda have indicated they are considering joining the exodus.
There has been a concerted effort to reassure countries that their
concerns regarding the ICC's perceived bias towards African nations
have been heard.
But it may be too little, too late.

AFP/GETTY IMAGES

Chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda told the BBC that nations should stay in the ICC to
achieve justice

The ICC chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, described recent

withdrawals as "a set-back" and "a regression from what we all want
to achieve - justice for atrocity crimes".
She told the BBC that African states were now speaking out in
support of the court and "renewing their commitment".

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