Title: The Hague's Special Tribunal Gears Up to Nail Russia's War Criminals, Including Putin
Selensky seeks to place Putin on trial.
In the wake of Russia's brutal aggression against Ukraine, a special tribunal is being set up in The Hague under the guidance of the Council of Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj expressed his optimism for the tribunal's potential to deliver justice to war criminals, even questioning if Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin should stand trial.
The War's Tough Temptation: A Chat with Trump Reveals Ukrainian Resilience
President Selenskyj held talks with former U.S. President Trump, discussing the plight of Ukraine. Selenskyj's meeting with Trump served as a reminder of the world's unwavering attention towards Ukraine's struggle.
A Slim Chance for Putin in the Dock
While it's unlikely that Putin will face the tribunal while in office, the proceedings can be held in absentia for high-level officials. However, heads of state, like Putin, are entitled to legal immunity, and the Council of Europe clarified that only when they leave office or their immunity is lifted can they be convicted. In the interim, the tribunal remains vital for evidence collection and indictment preparation.
As interested states and the European Union consider participation in the tribunal, preparations are underway for the tribunal to commence operations in the coming months, even provisionally.
The Council of Europe, comprising 46 nations with over 700 million inhabitants, champions democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Europe and beyond. This esteemed organization approved the tribunal in May, positioning it as a complement to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Putin but lacks the authority to prosecute the crime of aggression against a sitting official.
The Special Tribunal in Focus
The newly established tribunal targets Russia's crime of aggression against Ukraine, focusing on the upper echelons of political and military leadership responsible for launching the war. Although the tribunal cannot prosecute Putin while he remains in office due to legal immunity, it can pursue other senior Russian and Belarusian officials. Eventually, Putin can be brought to justice once he leaves office or loses power.
Ukraine Conflict, Attack on Ukraine, Volodymyr Selenskyj, International Criminal Court, War Crimes, War Criminals
Despite the challenges posed by legal immunity, the Special Tribunal in The Hague, set up to address Russia's aggression against Ukraine, could potentially indict war criminals, including high-level officials. This tribunal, endorsed by the Council of Europe, works in conjunction with the International Criminal Court to focus on political and military leadership implicated in the Ukraine conflict, although Putin's prosecution may be delayed until he leaves office.
The establishment of this tribunal signifies a crucial step towards holding war criminals accountable and upholding the rule of law, a key focus of the Council of Europe and EC countries in general, as they strive to bring stability and justice to regions affected by wars and conflicts.
