Blocking ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine, that is a base for the International Criminal Court, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko actually deprives the state of the opportunity to bring to justice the initiators and participants of Russian aggression in Donbas. The MP and the member of inter-faction union UKROP Vitaliy Kupriy has stated this during a lecture of the president of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture Mykola Gnatovskyy “Does Ukraine need the International Criminal Court?” that was organized by Amnesty International Ukraine in Kyiv.
During the lecture, in particular, they have discussed that ratification of the Rome Statute is one of the key Ukraine’s commitments to the European community, but the President Poroshenko has delayed the decision for three years at his own initiative. In war with Russia its ratification is very important for Ukraine itself.
Vitaliy Kupriy has reminded that one year ago he had submitted to the Verkhovna Rada a draft law 1788 “On Amendments to article 124 of the Constitution of Ukraine (concerning recognition of the provisions of the Rome Statute).” “Currently, by Poroshenko’s order, it is blocked, while the proposed reform of judicial system stipulates delay in ratification of the Rome Statute for three years without any explanation to people,” said the MP.
The politician is convinced that in this way the Ukrainian leader is obviously helping the Russian aggressors to avoid responsibility. “The reason for blocking ratification is Poroshenko’s desire to find favour in the eyes of Putin and let the Russian contractors and militants to escape responsibility for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Donbas,” said the MP.
Reference: Rome Statute is an international treaty that established the International Criminal Court. Among its jurisdiction is bringing to justice those who have committed such crimes as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and, in future, the crime of aggression.
