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Arrest Warrant of 11 April 2000 (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Belgium)

International Court of Justice

2002 I.C.J. 3 (Feb. 14), reprinted in 41 I.L.M. 536 (2002)

Facts

On April 11, 2000, Belgium (defendant) issued an international arrest warrant against the acting minister for foreign affairs of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) (plaintiff). Belgium sought the minister’s extradition on allegations of grave violations of international humanitarian law. The warrant was transmitted to the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and was circulated internationally. DRC filed suit against Belgium in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the ground that Belgium violated international law by issuing the arrest warrant. DRC argued that the minister should enjoy official immunity from suit. Additionally, DRC argued the arrest warrant prevented its minister from leaving the State and thus prevented him from exercising his official duties. The ICJ considered the case.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning

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