PACE backs creation of a commission for Ukraine’s compensation: What it’s about
Photo: session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (Milan Lelich/RBC-Ukraine)
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has supported a draft convention on the establishment of an International Commission to review Ukraine’s claims. It will address compensation for Ukrainians for damages caused by Russian aggression.
The resolution was adopted unanimously.
The International Commission will operate within the framework of the Council of Europe. It will review, assess, and decide on claims for compensation for damage, losses, or injuries caused by Russian actions on the territory of Ukraine or against Ukraine, and will also determine the amount of compensation, according to explanations from the Council of Europe.
The International Commission will also include the Damage Registry, which has already been launched and has received tens of thousands of applications from affected Ukrainians.
When the commission will start working
The recent vote in PACE is not the final step in establishing the International Commission. The final decision must be made by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers in October, and in December this year, the convention will be opened for signature at a diplomatic conference in The Hague by interested countries, not only from Europe.
The convention will enter into force once at least 25 countries worldwide have ratified it and funding is secured to launch its work.
PACE, in its decision, specifically noted the need for adequate funding that could ensure real compensation for Ukrainians affected by the war.
The PACE decision states that the Assembly regrets the draft convention does not provide clearer regulation of the funding of compensation payments, as well as their execution and disbursement.
At the same time, the Council of Europe’s explanations indicate that the creation of a compensation fund, from which payments will be made, still needs to be discussed.
The explanations state that stakeholders continue to explore possible sources of funding for the compensation that will be determined and awarded by the International Commission.
