Thirty-four member states of the Council of Europe, along with Australia, Costa Rica, and the European Union as an institution, have announced their support for the creation of a special tribunal to prosecute Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The announcement was made on Friday during the 135th Ministerial Session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Chisinau, Moldova.
Council of Europe Leads Initiative
Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, stated: "The time for Russia to be held to account for its aggression is fast approaching." The Council of Europe, which serves as a guardian of human rights and democracy across the continent, expelled Russia in 2022 following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The new tribunal aims to hold Russian leaders accountable for the crime of aggression, which is not covered by the International Criminal Court's jurisdiction in this context.
International Support Broadens
In addition to the 34 Council of Europe members, the initiative has gained backing from non-member states Australia and Costa Rica, as well as the European Union. This broad coalition underscores the international community's determination to pursue accountability for violations of international law. The tribunal will focus specifically on the crime of aggression, complementing ongoing investigations by the International Criminal Court into war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The decision marks a significant step in the global response to the conflict, which has caused widespread devastation and loss of life in Ukraine since February 2022. Supporters argue that the tribunal will serve as a deterrent against future acts of aggression and reinforce the rule of law in international relations.
