Ukraine’s parliament has voted to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), a move that is being seen as a means to hold suspected Russian war criminals accountable. The decision to ratify the Rome Statute, which would grant full membership to the ICC, was supported by 281 lawmakers, with only one politician voting against it. The ICC has the jurisdiction to prosecute serious crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity, and can issue arrest warrants that its 124 member countries are required to enforce.
The court has previously issued arrest warrants for high-ranking Russian officials, including President Putin, over crimes committed during the conflict with Ukraine. Joining the ICC is also seen as a step towards Ukraine’s goal of eventually joining the European Union, as all EU member states are signatories to the court. Despite previous concerns about the potential prosecution of Ukrainian soldiers, the ratification process went ahead with support from the military.
The decision to join the ICC has been met with praise from Ukrainian officials, who believe it will help bring accountability for Russian atrocities and further isolate Russia internationally. The ratification included a provision that exempts Ukrainian citizens from prosecution for war crimes for seven years, a move intended to address concerns about the potential impact on Ukrainian soldiers. Overall, the decision to join the ICC is seen as a significant step towards achieving justice for victims of war crimes and advancing Ukraine’s European aspirations.
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