Ukraine and the Council of Europe sign an agreement on a Special Tribunal against Russia
25 June 23:13
On June 25, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset signed an agreement on the establishment of a Special Tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This was reported by the Council of Europe, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The Special Tribunal against Russia will have the status of an international body, not a hybrid or national institution.
“For the first time, a special international tribunal is being established to address crimes of aggression. This tribunal, established within the framework of the Council of Europe, will bring to justice those who have used force in violation of the UN Charter, applying international law without double standards and confirming that Europe’s security is not based on silence or impunity, but on law, principles and actions,” Berce said.
The Ukrainian President called the establishment of the tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression against Ukraine a very important step.
“This is a very important step. Today we are starting the process of establishing a tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression against Ukraine. Every war criminal should know that there will be justice, and this includes Russia,” Zelenskyy said.
According to him, the legal war is now intensifying in a very serious way.
Zelenskyy also expressed confidence that the agreement on the Special Tribunal gives real chances to convict crimes of aggression.
“Other institutions, even international ones, do not have the tools to do this. And we need to show clearly that aggression will be punished. And we must do it together across Europe. Glory to Ukraine!” the President said.
The future special tribunal will allow for investigations against the country’s top leadership, which is usually protected by personal immunities, but sentencing will be possible only after they lose their positions.
In addition, the tribunal will have international legal personality, not the status of a hybrid or national structure. It will be based on Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute of the ICC, supplemented by the criteria of a war of aggression from UN General Assembly Resolution 3314.
It is also envisaged that the tribunal will be able to pass sentences even without the presence of the accused, in particular against the political and military leadership of Russia, and potentially also Belarus and the DPRK.
