Lithuania contributes additional 100,000 EUR to the International Criminal Court to support the investigation of war crimes in Ukraine
On 1 March, the Government approved the initiative of the Ministry of Justice to allocate additional 100,000 EUR to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which investigates war crimes and crimes against humanity and opened an investigation into the situation in Ukraine on 1 March 2022 under the Lithuanian application.
With more than a year of the persistent military aggression in Ukraine and with the ICC working in the context of active hostilities gathering evidence and witness testimonies in war locations, deploying mobile investigation teams to war zones, with the growing need for immediate protection and relocation of witnesses, it is imperative to ensure the maximum capacity of the Court's work and to allocate uninterrupted funding.
“Lithuania keeps actively contributing to the processes of securing justice in Ukraine. Ukraine not only needs weapons and humanitarian aid; it is also important to take all the measures possible to ensure that justice triumphs over impunity, that those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable without waiting for the end of the war,” said Minister of Justice Ewelina Dobrowolska.
According to Ms Dobrowolska, in order to effectively investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity, not only must we be aware of the needs of the International Criminal Court, but we must also, together with our partners, respond to such needs immediately and communicate clearly the expectation that the investigation of crimes in Ukraine should proceed at maximum speed.
Last December, the 21st Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in The Hague approved the ICC budget for 2023, which is insufficient to fund all the investigations and proceedings carried out by this Court.
Mr Dobrowolska notes that we must to look for sustainable and long-term solutions to ensure the essential needs of the International Criminal Court. Lithuania calls for full financial independence and capacity building of this Court.
The Conference of European Ministers of Justice on Support to the International Criminal Court and its Investigations into the Situation in Ukraine to be held in London on 20 March this year is expected to discuss issues of support by the states to the ICC, including the ensuring of operations of the permanent investigative centre in Kyiv, and the development of the Trust Fund for Victims.
Lithuania was the first country in the world to apply to the ICC and initiate the Hague Process under the Rome Statute. This initiative has been joined by 43 other countries of Europe and the world. The unity and determination of the states to hold the Russian regime accountable for the war crimes and crimes against humanity is unprecedented.
Recognising the scale and complexity of the investigation, Lithuania provided the ICC with additional funding of 100,000 EUR in 2022 and seconded a national expert investigator to the Investigation Team of the Situation in Ukraine. This example has been followed by 26 countries that have provided additional funding and human resources to the Court.
Last updated: 27-12-2023