Tribunal Against Russian War Criminals: Selenskyj Presses for Putin's Prosecution
Selenksy seeks Putin's appearance in a courtroom.
Gear up, folks! The Hague is about to witness a new special tribunal taking shape, aiming to bring Russian war criminals to justice for their atrocities against Ukraine. Under the leadership of the Council of Europe, this judicial body is poised to begin its work soon. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj is pinning high hopes on it.
At a recent signing ceremony with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, Selenskyj asserted, "Ukraine can count on the Council of Europe. Every war criminal, including Russia, must know that there will be justice."
The Council of Europe's Initiative
The Council of Europe has been aggressively preparing this tribunal for Russia's unprovoked war against Ukraine. The judicial body is set to be based in The Hague, where it will hold top Russian officials accountable.
Selenskyj hasn't shied away from calling for Putin's trial. He anticipates that strong political and legal cooperation will be vital to ensuring that every Russian war criminal, including Putin, stands trial.
Legal Hurdles and Immunities
However, it seems unlikely that Putin will appear in the dock. Although proceedings can be held in absentia, heads of state and government, as well as foreign ministers, enjoy legal immunity. This means that they can only be convicted after they leave office or their immunity is lifted. The Council of Europe recognizes the importance of the tribunal, such as collecting evidence and preparing indictments, regardless.
Interested states and the European Union will soon decide whether they want to participate in the tribunal. Preparations are currently underway, aiming for the tribunal to commence work in the upcoming months.
Background and Purpose
The Council of Europe consists of 46 states with over 700 million inhabitants. It works tirelessly to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Europe and beyond. The Council of Europe approved the tribunal in May, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) also lending support. The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin.
The Crime of Aggression
The tribunal will prosecute senior Russian leaders for the crime of aggression, defined as the decision to use armed force against another state in violation of the United Nations Charter. This makes it unique from other bodies as it focuses specifically on the crime of aggression itself.
The tribunal has jurisdiction over those responsible for the planning, preparation, initiation, or execution of acts of aggression, including Putin, the prime minister, and the foreign minister. The statute of the tribunal removes personal immunities for top officials, making it possible for them to be prosecuted even after leaving office.
In the context of the Council of Europe's initiative to establish a special tribunal against Russian war criminals, the employment policy of EC countries could play a significant role in ensuring cooperation with this endeavor, particularly as it relates to the participation of various states and the European Union. The general news about the tribunal is gaining attention, underscoring the importance of political stability and the rule of law, even in the face of war-and-conflicts such as the one in Ukraine, and related issues like crime-and-justice are being closely monitored.
