Ukrainian parliament ratifies Rome Statute, part of Kyiv’s EU commitments
After years of hesitation and despite opposition from the military, Ukraine’s parliament voted today to join the International Criminal Court (ICC) in hopes of punishing Russia for alleged war crimes it has committed in Ukraine.
A total of 281 MPs voted to ratify the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding treaty, many of them said on social media.
This decision will create “the greatest chance of punishing the Russians and will strengthen Russia’s isolation,” commented Evgenia Kravchuk, who belongs to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party.
The issue is highly sensitive in the country, however, as many fear that Ukrainian soldiers fighting against the Russian army will in turn be targeted by the ICC, which is tasked with prosecuting perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
According to her, Ukraine invoked Article 124 of the Rome Statute, which allows any Ukrainian – civilian or military – to be exempted from any prosecution by the ICC for war crimes for seven years.
Ratifying the Statute is part of Kyiv’s commitments to the EU, Kravchuk explained.
“It is a necessary measure, completely justified and safe,” he stressed.
Irina Gerashchenko as well as her party, the opposition European Solidarity, voted against the proposal.
Gerashchenko even spoke of “difficult discussions” in parliament before the vote. “The military asked for the ratification to take place after the lifting of martial law,” he pointed out on Telegram.
“No one has explained what will happen after” the seven-year exemption provided for by Article 124, he stressed.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.