European Parliament Calls for Special Tribunal to Prosecute Russian War Crimes in Ukraine

Strategic Insights -

The European Parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a nonbinding resolution, calling on member states to support the creation of a special court to prosecute war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. The resolution, which passed with a 472-19 vote and 33 abstentions, underscores the EU's commitment to holding Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine. The European Parliament argues that a special tribunal would complement the investigative efforts of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and focus on alleged genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European Parliament passed a nonbinding resolution, calling on member states to support the creation of a special court to prosecute war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.
  • The special tribunal would focus on alleged genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine.
  • The European Parliament argues that the special tribunal would complement the investigative efforts of the ICC and provide a platform to prosecute the crime of aggression, which the ICC is unable to do due to Russia's non-signatory status to the Rome Statute.
  • The ICC has launched an investigation into war crimes in Ukraine, but it is limited in its ability to prosecute the crime of aggression.
  • The resolve came amid allegations of Russian war crimes, including killings in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and the March 16 bombing of a theater in Mariupol, which an Associated Press investigation established likely killed close to 600 people.
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had previously pushed for the establishment of a special court to prosecute Russian aggression in Ukraine.
  • The European Parliament called on the EU to work with Ukraine to seek support in the U.N. General Assembly and other international forums for the creation of the special tribunal.

Statistics:

  • 472: The number of European Parliament members who voted in favor of the nonbinding resolution.
  • 19: The number of European Parliament members who voted against the nonbinding resolution.
  • 33: The number of European Parliament members who abstained from voting.
  • 600: The estimated number of people killed in the March 16 bombing of a theater in Mariupol.
  • February 24: The day Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.
  • 472-19: The final vote tally in the European Parliament.

Sources:

  • AP news wire, The European Union's assembly calls on member states to back special tribunal.
  • European Parliament, Resolution on the ongoing war in Ukraine.