Ukraine: MEPs want a special international tribunal for crimes of aggression 

The special international tribunal should investigate Russian leaders and military commanders and their allies for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, Plenary session AFET.

In the resolution adopted on Thursday, Parliament calls on the EU to take all necessary action in international proceedings and courts to support the prosecution of the Russian and Belarussian regimes for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and aggression. These investigations and consequent prosecutions should also apply to all Russian armed forces personnel and government officials involved in war crimes, MEPs ask.

The resolution on the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine was adopted by show of hands.

A special international tribunal

The adopted text asks the EU to support setting up a special international tribunal to punish the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine, for which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction, and hold Russian political leaders and military commanders and those of its allies to account.

MEPs also want the EU to provide, as soon as possible, all the necessary human and budgetary resources and administrative, investigative and logistical support needed to establish this tribunal.

According to the EP, reported atrocities such as indiscriminate shelling of cities and towns, forced deportations, use of banned ammunition, attacks against civilians fleeing via pre-agreed humanitarian corridors, executions and sexual violence amount to violations of international humanitarian law. They may qualify as war crimes, say MEPs, stressing that all of them have so far gone unprosecuted.

Act swiftly

MEPs stress that the EU must take action swiftly, since there is a grave risk that, due to the ongoing hostilities, evidence related to war crimes is being destroyed.

They express their full support for the investigation by the ICC Prosecutor and the work of the Commission of Inquiry of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as independent civil society organisations and Ukrainian authorities working to collect evidence.

MEPs welcome the joint investigative team being set up by Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, which is coordinated by the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation Eurojust, and in which the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC will participate, and encourage other member states to join this team.

More information 

• Adopted text will be available here, 19.05.2022  
• Video recording of the debate, 19.05.2022  
• European Parliament Research Service: The latest on Russia's war on Ukraine
• Free photos, video and audio materials: EU – Ukraine  
• Free photos, video and audio materials: Russian aggression against Ukraine  
• Committee on Foreign Affairs 
• Ukraine 
• How the EU is supporting Ukraine
• Ukraine: MEPs want a special international tribunal for crimes of aggression 
• EU must strengthen support for citizens and businesses and help for Ukraine-
• MEPs approve suspension of EU duties on all Ukrainian exports
• War in Ukraine: protecting women refugees from violence and sexual exploitation
• Russia must return stolen airplanes, demand MEPs
• MEPs say solidarity within EU is key to helping Ukraine and ending the war
• Ukraine: EU must protect all children fleeing the war
• War in Ukraine: keep the pressure up on Russia and aim for energy independence
• MEPs held a minute of silence in memory of victims of war in Ukraine
• The EU response to the Ukraine refugee crisis
• More EU action needed for secure food supply
• President Metsola: We must lead efforts to protect those fleeing war
• MEPs call for more support for Ukraine and further sanctions against Russia
• Justin Trudeau: “Canada, the EU, and our partners are facing a defining moment”
• Ukraine: MEPs calls for stronger measures and solidarity
• Ukraine: Parliament calls for tougher sanctions against Russia
• Zabuzhko: ‘Ukrainians fight to free Europe from the spectre of totalitarianism’
• Russian aggression in Ukraine: MEPs praise exceptional solidarity with refugees
• The Russian attack on Ukraine marks a new era for Europe, MEPs say
• Russia’s threats against Ukraine are a wake-up call for Europe, MEPs say
• Russia must immediately withdraw its forces threatening Ukraine
• Russia: MEPs deplore military build-up, attack in Czechia and jailing of Navalny
• EU-Russia relations under strain: what are the causes?
• Sakharov Prize ceremony: “Oleg Sentsov is a fighter by nature"
• Timeline: Parliament’s continued support for Ukraine
• Europe’s strategy towards Russia: how Parliament sees the way forward
• Kalniete: “Russia can no longer be considered the EU's strategic partner”
• MEPs want deeper EU ties with Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova
• Pat Cox: "There is still enormous appetite for deeper transformation in Ukraine"
• Ukraine: timeline of events
• European Parliament approves €1.8 billion EU loan to Ukraine
• EU-Russia relations: a key strategic challenge
• Gabrielius Landsbergis: "Sanctions against Russia are already bearing fruit"
• MEPs urge Ukraine leaders to swiftly form government and launch reforms
• European Parliament ratifies EU-Ukraine Association Agreement
• Karas on Ukraine: If talks fail, risk of military escalation will increase
• Schulz in Kiev: ”What happens in Ukraine concerns all Europeans”
• MEPs welcome signs of hope in Ukraine and urge the EU to stand up to Russia
• Historic vote: EU–Ukraine agreement approved in Strasbourg and Kiev
• MEPs cut customs duties on imports from Ukraine
• Ukraine: "If the EU’s reaction is weak, Putin will make another step"
• MEPs urge support for democracy in Ukraine
• Debate: MEPs call on EU to support Ukrainians demonstrating for European future
• European Parliament calls on Russia to withdraw military forces from Ukraine
• Ukraine: the way out of the crisis
• Kowal: "In 10-15 years it will be natural to talk about Ukraine’s accession"

Share this article: