Ewelina Dobrowolska: an important step towards the establishment of a Special Tribunal on russian aggression against Ukraine
Lithuania for the first time hosted a meeting of the international Core Group for the establishment of a Special Tribunal on russian aggression against Ukraine.
According to Minister of Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska, an important step in the establishment of the Special Tribunal to ensure criminal accountability for the unprovoked aggression by russia against Ukraine is the decision taken by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers at the Deputy level to instruct the Secretary General to prepare the documents necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal, and today’s discussion of the Core Group focuses on the content of these documents.
During the event, the Minister pointed out that the information gathered by Ukrainian NGOs reveals that one in five Ukrainians is a victim of, or has witnessed, the international crime of aggression committed by russia.
“The prerequisites for the establishment of the Special Tribunal are evident as it is more than two years that russia is in violation of the fundamental principle enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations that armed force shall not be used, therefore, it is important that impunity for the most heinous international crimes is put to an end and that the right decisions are made today. It is essential that the Tribunal established on behalf of the international community should be able to condemn russia's imperialist ideology and to pass judgments of conviction for the current russian leaders directly responsible for the aggression against Ukraine” emphasised Ms Dobrowolska at the event.
The Minister stressed that a criminal judgment by the Special Tribunal concerning the aggression committed against Ukraine would be a testimony of the truth based on international law for future generations. The steps we take now will not only be a demonstration of political will and the fulfilment of promises to Ukraine and its people, but also a turning point in the evolution of international justice.
Today, the members of the international Core Group are discussing the political and procedural issues of the establishment of the Special Tribunal and are looking for solutions how to properly manage the legal procedures of investigation and trial, including the possibility of trials in absentia, so that the legitimacy of the Special Tribunal and its judgments could not be denied later.
Lithuania joined the international Core Group on the establishment of a Special Tribunal on russian aggression against Ukraine in January 2023. Vilnius hosted the 9th meeting of the Core Group.
Last updated: 29-05-2024