The Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine has ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), thereby formalizing Ukraine’s status as a state party to the treaty. The legislative vote saw overwhelming support, with 281 deputies voting in favor and just one against. This move follows President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s introduction of the bill on August 17, alongside complementary legislation aimed at aligning Ukraine with the treaty’s requirements. More details are available from the official parliamentary results.
Ukraine had initially signed the Rome Statute in 2000 but had not ratified the document until now. Despite this delay, Ukraine has permitted the ICC’s jurisdiction within its territory via special declarations in 2014 and 2015, under Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute. These declarations not only recognized the court’s jurisdiction but also created binding obligations for Ukraine to cooperate with the ICC during its operational endeavors concerning the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, described the ratification as a testament to the country’s “unwavering commitment to strengthening international justice” and noted it as a crucial step in fulfilling the Association Agreement between the European Union and Ukraine. The EU, a robust supporter of the ICC, requires its member states to be parties to the Rome Statute. For more of Kuleba’s statements, see his social media post.
Since the commencement of the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, the ICC has been actively involved in investigating alleged atrocities in Ukraine. The court has received referrals from 43 member states about war crimes committed within Ukraine’s borders, prompting extensive investigations by the ICC’s prosecutor’s office. In March 2023, Ukraine further expanded its cooperation with the ICC by signing an agreement to establish a country office.
ICC investigations have already led to arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, related to the alleged forced deportation of children from Ukraine.
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