Call for reform of international law
Baerbock: Penalties must follow in aggressive wars
07/16/2023, 11:12 p.m
Foreign Minister Baerbock wants to reform international law: this should enable war aggressors to be prosecuted in the future. Baerbock, it aims to change the legal basis of the International Criminal Court. What could that look like?
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock insists on a reform of international law so that perpetrators of a war of aggression, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, are held accountable. “In the 21st century, no one should wage aggressive war and go unpunished,” demanded the Greens politician. Baerbock is en route to New York, where she will attend a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). International Criminal Court (ICC) wants to participate. A speech at the UN Security Council is also planned.
“In the eyes of the perpetrators, the ICC is already a sharp sword,” said Baerbock. In the eyes of the victims, he is the hope that their suffering will not go unpunished. “That’s why a gap in criminal prosecution is particularly painful,” said the minister. In the case of crimes of aggression against “the most precious asset we have: our peace,” the hurdles for criminal prosecution are still too high. “That’s why we want to work with partners to further develop international law so that it does justice to our realities in the 21st century.”
Baerbock proposes this change
During a visit to the court’s headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, in January, Baerbock had already proposed changing the legal basis of the court so that the offense of aggressive war could also be prosecuted without restriction. It should be sufficient if the victim state of an aggression falls under the jurisdiction of the court. Currently, only the UN Security Council can refer the case to the court, as neither Russia nor Ukraine are contracting parties. As a permanent member, Russia has a right of veto in the Security Council.
Before her departure, Baerbock also criticized: “The barbarity of the Russian war is particularly evident in the fate of the many thousands of children who were abducted from Ukraine to Russia.” Russia not only robs them of their childhood, but also of their identity and future. The fact that the court has started investigations is an “important step towards justice”.