Latest news with #CoE
Euronews
2 days ago
- Politics
- Euronews
Zelenskyy and Council of Europe to launch tribunal for war in Ukraine
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Alain Berset have signed an agreement on the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine in Strasbourg on Wednesday. The special tribunal aims to prosecute senior Russian leaders for 'the countless war crimes' Ukraine accuses Russian forces of committing since the start of the Kremlin's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Existing international courts, including the International Criminal Court in The Hague, lack jurisdiction to prosecute Russian nationals for that specific offence. 'Justice for Ukraine will not wait,' Berset said ahead of the signature ceremony with Zelenskyy. 'For the first time, a dedicated international tribunal is being created to address the crime of aggression. Established within the framework of the Council of Europe, this tribunal will hold to account those who have used force in violation of the UN Charter,' he added. Zelenskyy referenced tribunals held to try Nazis after World War II and the one in The Hague which tried individuals accused of war crimes during the wars in the former Yugoslavia, arguing that they should be a basis for how Russian officials need to be held to account. 'We all remember the tribunal that brought justice after the horrors of Nazism. And the world will never forget Nuremberg. Years later, when hate and war returned to parts of Europe, another tribunal was needed, this time for the crimes in the former Yugoslavia,' said Zelenskyy in an address to the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE. 'Now we need the same for Russia's aggression against Ukraine. This crime must be judged clearly and thoroughly. The world needs an honest, historic verdict, so everyone responsible for this war must be held to account,' added the Ukrainian leader. Zelenskyy expressed optimism that the tribunal is a 'real chance' to finally restore some justice to the people of Ukraine who have suffered 'unspeakable crimes' at the hands of Russian forces. Zelenskyy also urged for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who he accused of being a 'war criminal' to be tried. "Other institutions, even international ones, don't have the tools to do this. And we need to show clearly aggression leads to punishment." Logistical details remain to be resolved, including the location of the court. The Hague has been suggested due to its existing legal infrastructure, which Zelenskyy says would be a 'perfect' location, but no final decision has been made. The institution will be funded by supporting countries known as the Core Group, which consists of 40 states. The United States backed the project under former President Joe Biden, but President Donald Trump's administration did not support the initiative.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky and European rights body establish tribunal to allow prosecution of Russian leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed an agreement with the Council of Europe (CoE) to create a tribunal that would allow for the prosecution of senior Russian officials who have led the war on Ukraine. Zelensky signed the accord on Wednesday alongside CoE Secretary General Alain Berset in the French city of Strasbourg, where the organization is headquartered. The Ukrainian leader has portrayed the special tribunal as paramount to holding Russian officials responsible for the full-scale invasion of his country, which began in February 2022 and has grinded on for more than three years, with a huge human cost. The establishment of the tribunal is aimed at widening the net for those who can be tried over the conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which focuses on crimes against humanity, has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other high-profile political and military Russian figures. The new body will deal with the crime of aggression, specifically regarding the use of armed force by one state against another. It marks the first time that the CoE has set up such a tribunal. 'The Tribunal, formally launched today, creates a real opportunity to hold the leadership of the Russian regime accountable for the crimes committed against our state and our people,' the Ukrainian president wrote on X. 'We will continue working to ensure justice for all victims. Criminals must face trial in The Hague and be punished.' Berset said: 'This historic signature reminds us that international law must apply to all – with no exceptions, and with no double standards.' Alongside Putin, the ICC, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, in March 2023. Both are accused of the illegal deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. In March 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, a Russian navy officer and former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and Sergei Kobylash, a lLieutenant general in the Russian Armed Forces. The two are accused of the war crime of causing excessive incidental harm to civilians and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have mostly stalled despite mediation from the Trump administration. The talks between Russia, Ukraine and third countries have struggled to make progress after Moscow refused to back off its maximalist demands and presented a ceasefire proposal that would essentially amount to Ukraine's capitulation. At the same time, Russia keeps ramping up its attacks against Ukrainian cities. Russian forces killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians in less than 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials, two of the deadliest days in many months.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Zelensky and European rights body establish tribunal to allow prosecution of Russian leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed an agreement with the Council of Europe (CoE) to create a tribunal that would allow for the prosecution of senior Russian officials who have led the war on Ukraine. Zelensky signed the accord on Wednesday alongside CoE Secretary General Alain Berset in the French city of Strasbourg, where the organization is headquartered. The Ukrainian leader has portrayed the special tribunal as paramount to holding Russian officials responsible for the full-scale invasion of his country, which began in February 2022 and has grinded on for more than three years, with a huge human cost. The establishment of the tribunal is aimed at widening the net for those who can be tried over the conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which focuses on crimes against humanity, has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other high-profile political and military Russian figures. The new body will deal with the crime of aggression, specifically regarding the use of armed force by one state against another. It marks the first time that the CoE has set up such a tribunal. 'The Tribunal, formally launched today, creates a real opportunity to hold the leadership of the Russian regime accountable for the crimes committed against our state and our people,' the Ukrainian president wrote on X. 'We will continue working to ensure justice for all victims. Criminals must face trial in The Hague and be punished.' Berset said: 'This historic signature reminds us that international law must apply to all – with no exceptions, and with no double standards.' Alongside Putin, the ICC, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, in March 2023. Both are accused of the illegal deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. In March 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, a Russian navy officer and former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and Sergei Kobylash, a lLieutenant general in the Russian Armed Forces. The two are accused of the war crime of causing excessive incidental harm to civilians and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have mostly stalled despite mediation from the Trump administration. The talks between Russia, Ukraine and third countries have struggled to make progress after Moscow refused to back off its maximalist demands and presented a ceasefire proposal that would essentially amount to Ukraine's capitulation. At the same time, Russia keeps ramping up its attacks against Ukrainian cities. Russian forces killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians in less than 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials, two of the deadliest days in many months.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Ukraine calls for special court to try Russian war leaders
Ukraine calls for special court to try Russian war leaders (Image: AP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed an agreement with the Council of Europe (CoE) on Wednesday to establish a special tribunal to prosecute those accused of orchestrating Russia's war in Ukraine. Ukraine argues that the tribunal is urgently needed to hold Russia's leadership accountable for launching the full-scale invasion in February 2022. "We need to show clearly aggression leads to punishment and we must make it happen together, all of Europe," Zelenskyy said after signing the accord with CoE Secretary General Alain Berset. Tribunal to be set up under aegis of Europe's top rights body The creation of the tribunal comes as ceasefire talks between the two countries remain stalled, with Russian President Vladimir Putin appearing to believe that time is on his side. "Every war criminal must know there will be justice and that includes Russia," Zelenskyy said. The CoE hopes the tribunal could begin its work as early as next year. Berset said the next step in establishing the tribunal would be an expanded agreement to "allow the widest possible number of countries to join, to support, and to help manage the tribunal." Logistical details, including the tribunal's location, still need to be resolved. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued arrest warrants for Putin and other Russian officials on war crimes charges. However, it lacks the jurisdiction to prosecute them for the crime of aggression. Kyiv has long called for a dedicated tribunal, modeled on the Nuremberg trials, that would go beyond addressing alleged war crimes. The CoE said the tribunal "fills the gap" created by the "jurisdictional limitations" of the ICC. Europe backs Ukraine's bid to try Russian leaders This would be the first special tribunal established by the Strasbourg-based CoE, which promotes human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The CoE is not part of the European Union. European foreign ministers endorsed the creation of the tribunal during a meeting in Lviv, western Ukraine, on May 9. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who attended the meeting, said the "war, which violates international law, must not be allowed to remain without consequences." "Those who bear responsibility for this must also be held accountable by a legitimized court," he added. On Wednesday, Zelenskyy told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, "It will take strong political and legal courage to make sure every Russian war criminal faces justice, including Putin." Russia does not extradite its own citizens, so whether Putin will ever face trial remains uncertain.
CNN
2 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Zelensky and European rights body establish tribunal to allow prosecution of Russian leaders
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed an agreement with the Council of Europe (CoE) to create a tribunal that would allow for the prosecution of senior Russian officials who have led the war on Ukraine. Zelensky signed the accord on Wednesday alongside CoE Secretary General Alain Berset in the French city of Strasbourg, where the organization is headquartered. The Ukrainian leader has portrayed the special tribunal as paramount to holding Russian officials responsible for the full-scale invasion of his country, which began in February 2022 and has grinded on for more than three years, with a huge human cost. The establishment of the tribunal is aimed at widening the net for those who can be tried over the conflict. The International Criminal Court (ICC), which focuses on crimes against humanity, has already issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other high-profile political and military Russian figures. The new body will deal with the crime of aggression, specifically regarding the use of armed force by one state against another. It marks the first time that the CoE has set up such a tribunal. 'The Tribunal, formally launched today, creates a real opportunity to hold the leadership of the Russian regime accountable for the crimes committed against our state and our people,' the Ukrainian president wrote on X. 'We will continue working to ensure justice for all victims. Criminals must face trial in The Hague and be punished.' Berset said: 'This historic signature reminds us that international law must apply to all – with no exceptions, and with no double standards.' Alongside Putin, the ICC, based in The Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's presidential commissioner for children's rights, in March 2023. Both are accused of the illegal deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. In March 2024, the court also issued arrest warrants for Viktor Sokolov, a Russian navy officer and former commander of the Black Sea Fleet, and Sergei Kobylash, a lLieutenant general in the Russian Armed Forces. The two are accused of the war crime of causing excessive incidental harm to civilians and the crime against humanity of inhumane acts. Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations to end the war in Ukraine have mostly stalled despite mediation from the Trump administration. The talks between Russia, Ukraine and third countries have struggled to make progress after Moscow refused to back off its maximalist demands and presented a ceasefire proposal that would essentially amount to Ukraine's capitulation. At the same time, Russia keeps ramping up its attacks against Ukrainian cities. Russian forces killed dozens of Ukrainian civilians in less than 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday, according to Ukrainian officials, two of the deadliest days in many months.
