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Ukraine War

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022

Thursday, 24 March 2022

Ceisteanna (86)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

86. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he expects the International Criminal Court to take action over the situation in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15148/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

On 2 March 2022, Ireland joined a group of concerned States in referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court. This followed the announcement on 28 February 2022 by ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan that he had decided to begin the process of opening a formal investigation into the situation in Ukraine.

As Ukraine is not a party to the Rome Statute of the Court, any investigation of the situation there would require the authorisation of the Court’s Pre-Trial Chamber, which is a lengthy process. That process can be avoided if a state party to the Statute refers the situation to the Prosecutor's Office.

It was for this reason that Ireland and 40 other states parties referred the situation in Ukraine to the Prosecutor, enabling him to immediately begin an investigation into alleged crimes currently unfolding in Ukraine and to commence evidence-collection.

The Prosecutor previously established that there was a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Crimea and war crimes in Eastern Ukraine since 2014. The recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has, of course, drastically escalated the conflict beyond Eastern Ukraine.

The Prosecutor has now deployed an investigation team to the region that has already commenced evidence-collection activities and his Office has established a dedicated portal through which any person who may hold information relevant to the Ukraine situation can contact ICC investigators.

By joining the referral of the situation in Ukraine to the ICC, Ireland has demonstrated its strong commitment to international justice as well as to accountability for atrocity crimes arising out of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Ireland, together with its EU partners, has been a consistent and strong supporter of the ICC and will continue to support its important work.

Question No. 87 answered with Question No. 79.
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