What Ukraine gains from ratifying Rome Statute: Expert explanation
Photo: Ukraine has ratified the Rome Statute (Getty Images)
The decision by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament - ed.) to ratify the Rome Statute is historic. Now, Ukraine will be able to be represented in the International Criminal Court, stated Volodymyr Martynenko, a Doctor of Philosophy in Law and Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine from 2015 to 2021.
He noted that this decision will allow Ukraine to be a party in the investigation of criminal cases being considered by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"What does this mean? It means that Ukraine can now be not just an external observer or a provider of evidence, but an active participant in the process, specifically in the prosecution of Russian war crimes. This is very important, and in fact, ratifying the Rome Statute was necessary for this purpose alone," Martynenko explained.
Additionally, he stated that Ukraine has gained a significant number of opportunities to address criminal cases unrelated to military processes.
Martynenko added that the country must now amend its legislation in accordance with the requirements set for signatories of the Rome Statute.
What preceded
Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada proposing the ratification of the Rome Statute.
Today, on August 21, the Rada supported this initiative, with 281 members of Parliament voting in favor of the decision.
According to the Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Iryna Mudra, this step will allow Ukraine to increase the effectiveness of the ICC's efforts to prosecute Russian war criminals.
