Berlin, Sept 2, (dpa/GNA) – Human Rights Watch has called on Mongolia, to either deny entry to Russian President Vladimir Putin or arrest him, according to a statement by Maria Elena Vignoli from the non-governmental organization’s global justice unit on Monday.
“Mongolia would be defying its international obligations as an ICC member, if it allows Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit without arresting him,” Maria Elena Vignoli, senior international justice counsel at Human Rights Watch, said in the statement.
According to the Kremlin, Putin arrived in the capital Ulan Bator on Monday evening. A meeting with Mongolian President Uchnaagiin Chürelsüch is planned for Tuesday.
Putin travelled to the country at the Mongolian leader’s invitation, to strengthen cooperation between the two nations, according to a Kremlin statement, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court alleging war crimes in Ukraine.
Mongolia recognizes the International Criminal Court (ICC) and would be obliged to arrest Putin, during his stay in Ulaanbaatar.
However, Moscow is unconcerned, seeing no danger for Putin, due to the friendly relations between the two countries, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated recently.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, reacted with outrage to Putin’s welcome in Mongolia.
“The Mongolian government’s failure to carry out the binding ICC arrest warrant for Putin is a heavy blow to the International Criminal Court, and the international criminal justice system,” ministry spokes Heorhii Tykhyi wrote on X.
“Mongolia allowed the indicted criminal to escape justice, thereby sharing responsibility for his war crimes. We will work with partners to ensure that this has consequences for Ulaanbaatar.”
It is Putin’s first trip since the start of his war on Ukraine, to a country that is a member of the court in The Hague.
Mongolia is striving to maintain balanced relationships with its powerful neighbours, China and Russia, as well as with the West.
Since Mongolia is also dependent on Russia, it is considered unlikely that the country would jeopardize its relations by arresting Putin.
GNA