President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada to ratify the Rome Statute, UNN reports.
"Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court! This is an important step for our country, which is why the President of Ukraine has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law "On Ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and Amendments thereto," Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said .
The OP also explained why Ukraine is ratifying the Rome Statute.
Punishment of Russian criminals
Ukraine's involvement in the ICC will help to increase the effectiveness of the ICC's work on Ukraine and bring to justice those responsible for crimes committed by Russian citizens on the territory of Ukraine. In fact, we will be involved in the work of the world's key justice body and will be able to influence the prioritization of our issue in it. The ICC has already issued six arrest warrants for Russian criminals, including Putin and the army leadership: Shoigu, Gerasimov and other generals. Our participation in the work of the ICC will allow us to strengthen the consideration of current cases, open new ones and ensure fair punishment for all Russian criminals.
Defending Ukraine's interests in the ICC. Ukraine will be able to:
- to participate in the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC and to shape the ICC's policy;
- to nominate their candidate for the position of judge;
- approve the allocation of the ICC budget to ensure proper investigation of Russian crimes in Ukraine;
- to participate in the election of judges and other elected officials (including the ICC Prosecutor), to influence the development of amendments to the Rome Statute, which is key for us in protecting our military.
Ukraine's European Integration and Implementation of our Part of the Security Agreements
Ukraine has an obligation to ratify the Rome Statute in the Association Agreement with the EU (Article 8.) It is also one of the requirements for our accession to the bloc. A number of security agreements we have already signed with countries also contain provisions on the ratification of the Rome Statute, in particular, with the Netherlands and Germany. Under the terms of security agreements, we receive military, financial and diplomatic support from our partners, and in return we carry out reforms and harmonize our legislation. Therefore, ratification will be a powerful signal of our commitment to our obligations.
Compensation for Ukrainians who suffered from Russian crimes
Ukraine's full participation in the ICC (which requires ratification) will facilitate access for Ukrainians to the special ICC Trust Fund for Victims and increase the chances of obtaining compensation for victims of Russian crimes.
Protection of the Ukrainian military
It should be understood that ratification does not mean that there will be a risk of bringing the Ukrainian military and other citizens to justice.
- Firstly, Ukraine has already fully recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC since November 21, 2013 with two relevant statements, and the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC has launched an investigation into the situation in Ukraine "covering thus any past and ongoing allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in any part of the territory of Ukraine by any person" - without restrictions on nationality.
- Secondly, in accordance with complementarity, a fundamental principle of the ICC, our citizens can be brought before the ICC only if national courts are unable or unwilling to prosecute international crimes.
But the most important thing is that Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute with a declaration under Article 124 of the Rome Statute, according to which the ICC will not have jurisdiction under Article 8 (war crimes) over Ukrainian citizens for 7 years after ratification.
"The ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court will strengthen Ukraine's position in the international arena and will allow us to get better opportunities to prosecute Russians for their crimes and protect Ukrainian citizens. Participation in the work of the ICC is also part of our integration into the space of developed, democratic countries in Europe and the world. We accept the rules of the game and get a lot in return, both as a state and as a society," summarized Mudra.