The preliminary examination of the situation in Bolivia was announced on 9 September 2020. It is focused on the allegations of crimes against humanity committed in the territory of this State Party in August 2020. According to the referral made by Bolivia, in August 2020, members of political party Movimiento al Socialismo and associated organizations engaged in a course of conduct pursuant to an organizational policy to attack the Bolivian population by coordinating hundreds of blockades throughout the country to prevent the passage of convoys, transport and communications in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bolivia requested the Prosecutor to initiate an investigation with the view to determining whether one or more persons should be charged with the commission of such crimes.
The OTP intends to conclude its assessment of subject matter jurisdiction in the first half of 2021 in order to determine whether there is a basis to proceed to an admissibility assessment.
On 15 September 2020, the Presidency assigned the situation in Bolivia to Pre-Trial Chamber III.