Ukraine and the Council of Europe signed an agreement on the establishment of a special tribunal for crimes of aggression by the Russian Federation
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berse signed agreement on the creation of a Special Tribunal to investigate crimes of aggression against Ukraine.
The signing of the agreement took place in the building of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg during Zelenskyi’s first visit to this institution. It is noted that the new special tribunal will allow investigations to be launched against the highest leadership of states, who are usually immune, but sentencing is possible only after these persons lose their positions.
It is also assumed that the tribunal will be able to make decisions even in the absence of the accused. This could include the political and military leadership of Russia, as well as potentially Belarus and North Korea. The new body will have the status of an international institution, not a hybrid or national one.
“For the first time, a special international tribunal is being created to deal with 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.”, — said Berse.
