Parliament Decides on Hague Tribunal Jurisdiction

Rada recognized the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (the Hague Tribunal).

The Verkhovna Rada has voted for a resolution that recognizes the jurisdiction of the ICC over the situation resulting from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine beginning February 27 and the international crimes committed on Ukrainian territory.

271 MPs voted for this decision, writes Ukrayinska Pravda.

Through this resolution, Ukraine recognizes the provisions stipulated by Article 7, “Crimes against humanity,” and Article 8, “War crimes,” of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

MPs also voted to petition the Hague Tribunal about recognizing its jurisdiction over crimes against humanity and war crimes by senior officials of Russia, which led to exceptionally grave consequences and the mass murder of Ukrainian citizens.

According to the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall immediately notify the tribunal while the Prosecutor General’s Office will ask the tribunal to launch an investigation of the crimes. 

The Council of the EU has previously urged Ukraine to expedite the submission of documents to the Hague Tribunal. The ICC will then be able to consider the prospective crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine in 2014-2015.