UN mission says Venezuela's ICC withdrawal undermines accountability

A United Nations fact-finding body on Venezuela said on Monday it was "gravely concerned" over the country's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court and urged it to rejoin.



Venezuela's government said on Friday it had made an "irrevocable" decision to leave, justifying the move by alleging a "geographical bias" within the court.

By withdrawing, the Venezuelan government seeks to evade international processes designed to ensure accountability, the mission said.



Venezuela has taken no meaningful action to investigate gross violations and international crimes committed over more than a decade, it added.



The mission called on Venezuela to rejoin the ICC and cooperate fully with international justice mechanisms.



The exit "serves only to reinforce impunity for human rights violations," the mission said in a statement.