The Elders welcome the opening of an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor into alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed by all parties in Ukraine, following an unprecedented referral by 39 countries. The Elders call on the international community to provide the ICC with the support and resources needed to conduct this investigation.

While the ICC can and should investigate war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed by all parties in Ukraine, under current circumstances it cannot investigate the alleged crime of aggression. The International Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights may have roles to play in Ukraine, but also cannot hold individuals accountable for crimes of aggression.

A new international or hybrid tribunal mandated to investigate and prosecute the alleged crime of aggression in Ukraine could address this gap. There are various precedents to draw on for setting up such a tribunal, which should be complementary to other proceedings. Evidence-gathering should begin immediately, and could be done through an independent investigation that can start before the detailed model for a tribunal is agreed.  

The Elders welcome the historic UN General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on 2 March, deploring the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine in violation of Article 2(4) of the UN Charter. They also support the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)’s decision to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry, to investigate alleged human rights violations in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. They urge the UNGA and the HRC to show unity and resolve in their support for justice and accountability, given the UN Security Council’s failure to act, and the Government of Ukraine’s request for international support for accountability under international law.

Impunity for aggressors must end if the international community is to deter acts of aggression in future, wherever in the world they may happen.

Zeid Raad Al Hussein, Member of The Elders and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:

“The international community has a responsibility to come together to take all measures necessary to restore and maintain global peace and security, particularly when the UN Security Council is unable to act.  A criminal tribunal to investigate and prosecute the alleged crime of aggression in Ukraine would be a crucial step forward towards ending impunity. I encourage governments to respond to the Ukrainian Government’s request for support on this issue, and urgently engage to find a way forward.  We must act collectively to defend the rules that underpin our common security, and hold to account those who violate them.”  

Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said:

“Failure to hold President Putin accountable for his aggression against Ukraine will further undermine the rules-based international order. If we allow crimes of aggression to go unchallenged, we are likely to see further violations, and a continuing breakdown of the peace and security the UN was set up to protect. The international community must explore all options available to ensure accountability and justice.”

Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and Chair of The Elders

Ban Ki-moon, former UN Secretary-General and Deputy Chair of The Elders

Graça Machel, Founder of the Graça Machel Trust, co-founder and Deputy Chair of The Elders 

Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and former Director-General of the WHO

Zeid Raad Al Hussein, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Hina Jilani, Advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and co-chair of the Taskforce on Justice

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former President of Liberia and Nobel Peace Laureate

Ricardo Lagos, former President of Chile

Juan Manuel Santos, former President of Colombia and Nobel Peace Laureate

Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico

ENDS

Technical notes
 

1. The crime of aggression refers to the planning or execution, by a political or military leader, of acts of aggression in violation of the UN Charter, such as an invasion, occupation or annexation by force.

2. Under current circumstances, the ICC is not able to investigate or prosecute the alleged crime of aggression in Ukraine.  Neither Ukraine nor the Russian Federation are a State Party to the Rome Statute. Ukraine has, however, exercised its prerogatives to legally accept the ICC’s jurisdiction over alleged crimes under the Rome Statute.  The ICC can therefore open an investigation into any alleged war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide occurring on the territory of Ukraine.  On 2 March 2022, the ICC Prosecutor announced the opening of an investigation into alleged crimes from 20 November 2013 onwards, following referrals by 39 States Parties.  See https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=2022-prosecutor-statement-referrals-ukraine.

3. The crime of aggression has a unique jurisdictional regime, separate to the other Rome Statute crimes (war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide).  The crime of aggression was included in the original Rome Statute, and its definition and conditions for jurisdiction and activation were set out in amendments agreed by States Parties in 2010 (“the Kampala amendments”).  The Court’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression was activated as of 17 July 2018. 

4. Countries which are not States Parties to the ICC are excluded from the Court’s jurisdiction over the crime of aggression, whether they are victim or aggressor, unless there is a referral by the UN Security Council. Given that the Russian Federation has a veto over Security Council decisions, such a referral may not be made, and therefore the ICC will not have jurisdiction over the alleged crime of aggression in this case.

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