Armenian Head of State Sanctions Legislative Approval for Membership in International Criminal Court

President Vahagn Khachaturyan of Armenia has formally endorsed the legislative decision to become a member of the International Criminal Court, a development that has heightened tensions between Armenia and its long-standing ally, Russia.

Previously, the Armenian National Assembly had given the green light to accede to the International Criminal Court by approving the Rome Statute, the foundational treaty establishing the judicial body.

Nations that have both signed and ratified the Rome Statute are obligated to apprehend Russian President Vladimir Putin—indicted for war crimes related to the forced removal of children in Ukraine—should he enter their territory.

The Russian government expressed its disapproval of Armenia’s decision last month, labeling it as an “adverse action.” Subsequently, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Armenian ambassador for discussions. In an effort to mitigate tensions, Armenian authorities later clarified that President Putin would not be subject to arrest upon entering Armenia.

Armenian officials contend that the decision to join the International Criminal Court is unrelated to Russia and was primarily influenced by what they describe as aggressive actions by Azerbaijan against Armenia.

The legislative body of Armenia ratified the Rome Statute with a voting margin of 60-22. The enacted decision will take effect 60 days subsequent to the ratification, as stipulated by Armenian legislators.

Armenia had initially embarked on the process to join the International Criminal Court over two decades ago. However, the Constitutional Court of Armenia ruled in 2004 that the Rome Statute was inconsistent with the nation’s constitution at that time, thereby halting the process. The constitution has undergone two amendments since then, and in March, the Constitutional Court ascertained that the Rome Statute’s conditions for member states align with Armenia’s current constitutional framework.

Yegishe Kirakosyan, Armenia’s representative on matters of international law, indicated that the resumption of the process to join the International Criminal Court was spurred by Azerbaijan’s purported actions against Armenia. Last month, Azerbaijani forces overwhelmed the ethnic Armenian separatists in the Nagorno-Karabakh region and reclaimed the disputed territory.

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More about International Criminal Court membership

• Armenian Parliament Ratifies Rome Statute
• President Vahagn Khachaturyan’s Official Statement on ICC Membership
• Russia’s Reaction to Armenia’s ICC Membership
• Overview of the Rome Statute
• Constitutional Changes in Armenia
• Recent Developments in Nagorno-Karabakh
• Azerbaijan’s Military Actions Against Armenia