Behind the Curtain: The Push for Justice Against Russian War Criminals with Putin in the Crosshairs
Selenksy advocates for Putin's trial in court.
Get ready, war criminals! A special tribunal is rising in The Hague, backed by the Council of Europe, to bring accountability to those responsible for Ukraine's conflicts, with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, being a top target.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj and the Council of Europe's Secretary General, Alain Berset, have joined forces to sign an agreement for a special tribunal focused on crimes against Ukraine. Berset expressed his confidence, stating, "Ukraine can count on the Council of Europe. Every war criminal must know that there will be justice, and that includes Russia."
The tale of this tribunal doesn't end there. Selenskyj has made it clear that he believes Putin deserves his day in court as well. "Justice takes time, but it must come," said Selenskyj, "I am convinced of that."
The Long Battle Ahead
When it comes to Putin's appearance in the dock, the road ahead looks rocky. Legal immunity for heads of state and government presents a significant obstacle, as it prevents figures like Putin from being easily convicted. However, the tribunal's preparations are underway, with the aim of overcoming these barriers by explicitly excluding personal immunities for top-ranking officials in the tribunal's statute.
The Council of Europe, an alliance of 46 member states, is making waves by taking decisive action against war crimes, aiming to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This move follows the Council's approval of the tribunal in May, with the intention to complement the International Criminal Court (ICC) rather than duplicate its efforts.
The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for Putin, but it lacks jurisdiction over the crime of aggression for Russian nationals. This new tribunal will focus on filling that legal gap, enabling the prosecution of those responsible for aggression against Ukraine and holding senior Russian leaders accountable for their actions.
The Juggling Act Ahead
While the legal foundation is in place, the enforcement of these provisions remains a challenge, especially since Russia does not extradite its own citizens. Whether Putin will physically appear in court is unknown, pending the evolving political and diplomatic landscape. However, the new tribunal serves as a critical stepping stone in the ongoing fight for justice.
- Ukraine Conflict
- Attack on Ukraine
- Ukraine
- Volodymyr Selenskyj
- International Criminal Court
- War Crimes
- War Criminals
- Special Tribunal
- Russia and Ukraine
- The Special Tribunal, an initiative backed by the Council of Europe, is primed to address the atrocities committed during the Ukraine conflict, with particular focus on Russian war criminals like Vladimir Putin as top targets.
- The Council of Europe, composed of 46 European countries, is actively engaged in the fight against war crimes and injustice, aiming to strengthen democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, especially in the wake of the Ukraine conflict and the actions of Russia.
