A special international tribunal should investigate the Russian military leaders and commanders and their allies regarding the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday, Parliament calls on the EU to take all necessary steps in international proceedings and courts to support the prosecution of the Russian and Belarusian regimes for war crimes. Crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. MPs say these investigations, and the resulting accusations, should also target all personnel of the Russian armed forces and government officials involved in war crimes.
The resolution on the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine was adopted by show of hand.
In the adopted text, they request the EU to support the establishment of a special international tribunal to punish the crime of aggression committed in Ukraine, against which The International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction, and to detain Russian political leaders and military commanders and their allies on account.
MEPs also want the EU to provide as soon as possible all the necessary human and budgetary resources as well as the administrative, investigative and logistical support needed to set up this court.
A special international tribunal for the crimes of aggression by the Russian and Belarusian regimes
According to the EP, the reported atrocities constitute a violation of international humanitarian law. This applies to the massive shelling of cities and towns, forced deportations, as well as the use of forbidden ammunition, and attacks on civilians fleeing through previously agreed humanitarian corridors. Executions and sexual violence are also violations of international humanitarian law. All these situations could qualify as war crimes, say MEPs. MEPs emphasize that all of them have not been prosecuted so far.
MEPs welcome the joint investigation team set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine
MEPs stress that the EU must act swiftly as there is a risk that evidence of war crimes will be destroyed as a result of ongoing hostilities.
They express their full support for the investigation The ICC prosecutor and works Commission of Inquiry of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as independent civil society organizations and Ukrainian authorities collecting evidence.
MEPs welcome the joint investigation team set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine. This team is coordinated by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation Eurojust and with the participation of the ICC Prosecutor's Office, and invite other Member States to join this team.
Source: European Parliament
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