MEPs quiz Commission representatives on the prospects of establishing a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Extracts from the debate and the vote on the resolution, which is adopted.

EU - Ukraine (T)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

troubles in Ukraine (T)

AUŠTREVIČIUS, Petras (Renew, LT)

REYNDERS, Didier (BE, EC)

KUBILIUS, Andrius (EPP, LT)

OLEKAS, Juozas (S&D, LT)

LAGODINSKY, Sergey (Greens/EFA, DE)

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

consequences of the war in Ukraine (T)

The establishment of a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine: extracts from the debate (17/01) and extracts from the vote

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, As regards accountability for the crime of aggression in particular, currently, Russian leaders cannot be held accountable for this crime before any international jurisdiction. While the International Criminal Court is competent to prosecute possible war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, this court cannot. In the case of the conflict in Ukraine, exercise jurisdiction for the crime of aggression. In any case, we continue to consider that Ukraine should ratify the Rome Statute.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, The fact that the crime of aggression can by definition only be committed by the highest political and military leadership brings us to the issue of personal and functional immunities. A possible tribunal set up to prosecute the crime of aggression would need, under customary international law, to have sufficiently international character to relinquish immunities in a legitimate, legitimate way and to act on behalf of the international community. Before discussions on a special tribunal could possibly get a sufficient consensus and support at the international level, an investigation mechanism could first be considered. The Commission is reflecting about the possible setting up of an international prosecution office to start investigations into the crime of aggression, with a view to preserving and strong evidence for possible future trials.

SOUNDBITE (English), Andrius KUBILIUS (EPP, LT), War crimes and crimes against humanity are investigated by ICC. But ICC has no direct mandate to investigate crimes of war aggression. That is why we need special tribunal, not only for Putin, but also for Lukashenka, since he allowed territory of Belarus to be used for criminal Russian aggression. The way back to peace starts from establishment of special tribunal.

SOUNDBITE (Lithuanian), Juozas OLEKAS (S&amp;D, LT), Every world is terrified to see the crimes conducted by Russia, from Russia to other countries. Russia is shooting innocent civilians. It's attacking civilian infrastructure. It is raping girls and women. Therefore, it is very important that the European Union together with Ukraine, as well as our international partners, would as soon as possible, set up an international mechanism to punish the perpetrators.

SOUNDBITE (English), Petras AU&#352;TREVI&#268;IUS (Renew, LT), The Russian chauvinism and military, militaristic Soviet ism have committed the most serious crime. The crime of aggression against Ukraine, challenging the entire democratic world. A special tribunal must gather evidence, assessed name and judge the perpetrators, the Russian political, military and economic leaders and their accomplices in Belarus.

SOUNDBITE (German), Sergey LAGODINSKY (Greens/EFA, DE), We remain speechless given these pictures we've seen. Public international law seems to be speechless as well, but speechless is one thing we must not be deed less. And just as for months now, we've been providing protection for Ukrainians through our weapons, we are now asking for the establishment of a different weapon. The weapon of justice, a weapon of a special tribunal.

Results of the vote: 472 + / 019 - / 033 O