“In the name of the civilized world”: Smirnov on the creation of a Tribunal to hold Putin accountable

Within the framework of the Coordinating Group and other interested states, expert discussions continue on the model of the creation and operation of the Special International Tribunal as an instrument of responsibility for the crime of aggression committed by Russia’s top political leadership. This was reported Deputy Head of the OP Andrey Smirnov.

On April 17, according to him, 13 countries signed a joint statement in which they supported the creation of a Special International Tribunal precisely on the basis of an agreement between the UN and Ukraine and the adoption of relevant decisions by the UN General Assembly.

“These are Albania, Belgium, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Estonia, Guatemala, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, North Macedonia and Poland”, – said Smirnov about international support. The politician also called on the international community to actively participate in discussions on the establishment of the Tribunal.

“We believe that the International Tribunal, in whose work the personal immunities granted by international law to the highest officials of states, will not be applied, is most suitable for achieving the goals (bringing to justice for the crime of aggression). Therefore, we call on the international community to actively participate in discussions on the establishment of the Tribunal, including through the decision of the UN General Assembly,” Smirnov says.

He also recalled that there are three different scenarios for the founding and operation of the tribunal “on the table”:

• establishment through an agreement between the UN and Ukraine;

• establishment through a multilateral international treaty between states;

• hybrid (internationalized) tribunal as a component of the national judicial system of Ukraine.

“We are convinced that the creation of such a mechanism on the basis of an agreement between the UN and Ukraine is the best option, given the international legitimacy, authority and comprehensive decision of such a Tribunal and the speed of its creation. We do not need a decision of the Tribunal in the name of Ukraine, we need a decision of the Tribunal in the name of the civilized world,” he added.

Recall, on March 17, the Pre-trial Chamber of the II International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in connection with the situation in Ukraine.