Abu Ghraib's Silver Lining

The US decision to withdraw a UN resolution seeking to extend its immunity from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) is a welcome move.

It was the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal which sealed the resolution's fate, making it impossible for the US to secure the support of the nine members of the Security Council required for it to pass. The damage that affair has done to the US position was evident from the American decision not to repeat their usual threats to veto UN peacekeeping operations if they did not get their way. As a result, from the beginning of July the court will be able to prosecute American troops for any crimes they may commit abroad. Even if this never happens (as it should not, if the US is diligent about prosecuting any wrongdoings itself) many people will feel much happier now that the US is at least theoretically accountable for its actions overseas.

Unfortunately, anticipating that such a day would arrive, the US has already established bilateral agreements with 89 of the ICC's 94 signatories to ensure they do not bring charges against American servicemen. As many of those agreements were extracted under duress, it's my hope that those countries will capitalise on America's current weakness and announce their intent to abrogate them.