WASHINGTON - June 23 - Statement of Citizens for Global Solutions Vice President for Programs Heather B. Hamilton on the U.S. decision not to seek renewal of Security Council Resolution 1487, which grants immunity from prosecution to UN peacekeepers before the International Criminal Court:

"Citizens for Global Solutions welcomes the U.S. decision not to seek a Security Council resolution providing immunity from war crimes prosecution to UN peacekeepers. As demonstrated bytoday's announcement by the International Criminal Court's Chief Prosecutor of the start of investigations into alleged atrocities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the ICC is functioning as intended and poses no threat to UN peacekeepers. It is time to put to bed all misplaced concerns of misuse of the International Criminal Court for frivolous prosecutions. This resolution should be left in the dust bin of bad ideas. Citizens for Global Solutions commends Security Council members for standing up for international law, preserving the integrity of the Security Council, and recognizing the extraordinary potential of both peacekeeping and the International Criminal Court to build peace and security in our troubled world."

For more information about the issue, including the text of previous resolutions, country statements and a new Citizens for Global Solutions report on the ICC in the Congo and Uganda:

Citizens for Global Solutions: http://www.globalsolutions.org/programs/law_justice/law_justice_home.html

International NGO Coalition for the ICC: http://www.iccnow.org

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