Zelensky signs law on ratification of the Rome Statute

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a law ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and amendments to it, according to the parliament's website, UNN reports.

Details

"24.08.2024 - returned with the signature of the President of Ukraine," the document's status report reads.

Addendum

As previously reported, ratification of the Rome Statute will allow:

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," the Presidential Office said.

Defending Ukraine's interests in the ICC. According to the Presidential Office, 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 own 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 a commitment 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 already signed security agreements with countries also contain provisions on the ratification of the Rome Statute, in particular, with the Netherlands and Germany. 

Compensation to Ukrainians who suffered from Russian crimes.

Ukraine's full participation in the ICC (which requires ratification) would reportedly facilitate access for Ukrainians to the special ICC Trust Fund for Victims and increase the chances of obtaining compensation for victims of Russian crimes.

Protecting our military.

"It should be understood that ratification does not mean that there will be a risk of bringing our military and other citizens to justice," the Presidential Office emphasized.

As the President's Office pointed out, first, Ukraine has already fully recognized the jurisdiction of the ICC since November 21, 2013, with two relevant statements, and the Office of the ICC Prosecutor has launched an investigation into the situation in Ukraine "thus covering any previous and current allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in any part of the territory of Ukraine by any person" - without restrictions on citizenship. And 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 President's Office noted.