- Category
- Latest news
Council of Europe Approves Tribunal for Russian Leadership Over War Crimes
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
The Council of Europe approved the creation of a Special Tribunal to hold Russia’s top political and military leadership accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The announcement came from Ukrainian Member of Parliament Maria Mezentseva, head of Ukraine’s delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on May 14.
According to Mezentseva, decision was adopted during the annual meeting of the Council’s Committee of Ministers in Luxembourg.
The Council tasked its Secretary General, Alain Berset, with leading the tribunal’s establishment process.
In addition, the Council of Europe voiced support for the creation of a Claims Commission for Ukraine, which may operate under the Council’s own framework. The initiative aims to document and address the damage caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to securing the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally deported or forcibly transferred by Russia.
“Ministers welcomed the ongoing efforts to reach an agreement on the establishment of a Claims Commission for Ukraine, possibly under the auspices of the Council of Europe, and reaffirmed their determination to secure the return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia,” the Council of Europe stated.
Earlier, the European Parliament has condemned Russia’s forced deportation and russification of Ukrainian children, describing it as a “genocidal strategy” intended to erase Ukrainian identity.
In a newly adopted resolution, MEPs demanded the unconditional return of all abducted minors and called for those responsible to be held to account under international law.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
