Olena Zelenska pleads at the UN for a special tribunal, so that an “aggression” such as the Russian invasion of her country “cannot happen again”
“I call on the United Nations to establish a special tribunal for Russian crimes of aggression. We’re not the only ones who need it, it’s for everyone, so it can’t happen again. »
“I think you will all agree: whatever your country and your nationality, you have the right not to be killed in your own homes”said Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska in a video message broadcast at the United Nations headquarters, during a special event on human rights violations in Ukraine. “However, Ukrainians have been killed in front of the eyes of the whole world for a year, in their cities, villages, apartments, hospitals, theaters”she added, defending the right to “self-defense” from Ukraine.
Ukrainians have been pushing for months for the creation of such a tribunal to try those responsible for the invasion of Ukraine. They had considered presenting a resolution to this effect for the anniversary of the start of the invasion, but the initiative was rejected, according to diplomats. The resolution considered from Wednesday by the General Assembly mainly calls for a “just peace”in the hope of garnering as much support as possible.
The International Criminal Court (ICC), which has launched investigations into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine, does not have the power to try crimes of aggression against Russia, which is not a signatory to the Statute of Rome, founding text of the ICC.
“Russia has committed all kinds of crimes against the Ukrainian people”denounced the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, castigating in particular the “deportations of Ukrainian children to Russia”. “Accountability for international crimes committed in Ukraine must be comprehensive, there must be no loopholes. Russia’s political and military leaders must also be put on trial.”he insisted.
In this context, the European Union recently announced the creation of an international center dedicated to the prosecution of crimes of aggression in Ukraine, supported by Ukraine and based in The Hague. This center “will collect evidence that may one day be used to judge Russian leaders”said Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra on Wednesday at United Nations headquarters. “Yes, we want peace, but the only way to get peace is not to tolerate this aggression”he added.