Ukraine plans to ratify Rome status by the end of the year - President's Office

Ukraine has resumed work on the ratification of the Rome Statute. This was reported by Iryna Mudra, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, in an interview with the Voice of America, UNN reports.

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"I personally support the ratification. I know that the Prosecutor General supports it, as does the relevant parliamentary committee. I think we will do it together. My goal is to resolve the issue of ratification by the end of this year," she assured.

Mudra explained that the problems with ratification are also related to the fact that in previous years there were not quite correct communication messages that were supposed to justify the expediency of ratifying the Rome Statute. "Therefore, there was a really wrong impression about this, which, unfortunately, is quite deeply rooted in the minds of the military," she added.

The misconception is that as soon as Ukraine ratifies the Rome Statute, it will become the basis for bringing the Ukrainian military and leadership to justice in the International Criminal Court. However, Mudra is convinced that from a legal point of view, this is an incorrect statement.

After all, in 2014 and 2015, Ukraine adopted two declarations recognizing the jurisdiction of the ICC.

"In other words, we have actually already recognized its jurisdiction. The ICC can already bring our citizens to justice. There are no new risks with the ratification of the Rome Statute. And this must be clearly understood and explained to the military, which we have begun to do," she said.

At the same time, the deputy head of the Presidential Office explained, the ICC is complementary, meaning that it only complements the national judicial systems of states to ensure the inevitability of punishment for the most serious international crimes. Therefore, the ICC can exercise its jurisdiction only if the national courts of a state are unable or unwilling to investigate these crimes on their own.

"It is not a substitute for our law enforcement and judicial bodies. Yes, the military is afraid that the Russians are recording certain actions by our soldiers. And that they will try to submit this to the ICC. But this will only be possible if our law enforcement and judicial system does not investigate and ensure accountability for crimes," she added.

Mudra also said that Ukraine will only benefit from the ratification of the Rome Statute, as the country will become a full-fledged member of the ICC.

"We will also have the right, among other things, to propose our own judge to the ICC. We will also be able to participate in the conference of participants, i.e. influence the processes. Ratification will be an impetus for the harmonization of national legislation. I am currently working with the military to dispel their fears and doubts and refute previously formed incorrect impressions," she explained.