Parliament supported the ratification of the Rome Statute: what it means for Ukraine

The Ukrainian Parliament has ratified the Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), commonly known as the Rome Statute. The document was approved by 281 members of parliament.

People's deputy from the "Golos" faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported this.

"The discussion during the consideration was very difficult. There were many speeches both for and against," he noted.

Pavlo Frolov, chief consultant of the Apparatus of the Verkhovna Rada, states that the ICC will not have jurisdiction over war crimes committed by Ukrainian citizens for the next seven years. The law recognizes the ICC's jurisdiction starting from November 22, 2013, for crimes against humanity and genocide, and from July 17, 2018, for the crime of aggression.

MP Oleksiy Honcharenko notes that for Ukraine, the ratification of the Rome Statute means:

⦁ A more effective means of holding Russians accountable for their crimes.

⦁ Fulfilling an important requirement for European integration.

⦁ Simplifying access for Ukrainians affected by Russian crimes to the ICC Trust Fund and increasing their chances of receiving compensation.

⦁ Gaining influence and rights within the ICC, including participating in the election of judges and nominating a candidate of its own.

Ratifying the Rome Statute grants Ukraine full membership in the International Criminal Court (ICC). This allows Ukraine to participate in the work of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, nominate candidates for ICC judges and prosecutors, and contribute to the prevention and deterrence of serious crimes in the future. Membership in the Rome Statute will also enhance cooperation with the ICC and help ensure accountability for serious crimes.

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