PACE calls for the creation of a tribunal for Russia and Belarus in the context of the war in Ukraine

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on Thursday unanimously called for the creation of a special international tribunal to prosecute Russian and Belarusian leaders found guilty of starting a war against Ukraine.
With 100 votes in favor and one abstention, the representatives of 46 member states of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution directed against the civilian and military leaders who “planned, prepared, launched or carried out” the aggression against Ukraine, without naming their names.
“Without their decision to unleash this war of aggression against Ukraine, there would be no abuse, destruction, death and damage,” the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly said in a statement. communiqué adopted at today’s meeting in Strasbourg.
PACE called on Council member states to establish a special tribunal with the support of as many countries and international organizations as possible, including the UN General Assembly. The organization expects the summit of heads of state and government of the Council of Europe in May in Reykjavik to provide “political support” for this project.
The Council of Europe brings together more countries than the European Union, including former Soviet republics such as Moldova, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The European Parliament, which represents the 27 EU member states, adopted a similar text last week with 472 votes (19 against, 33 abstentions).
The International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, only has jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity, but not over the “crime of aggression”, since Moscow, Minsk and Kiev are not have not signed the agreement establishing the Court.
The resolution also states that certain actions committed by Russia on the territory of Ukraine against the civilian population, including the killings and forced removal of children in order to Russify them, “may fall” under the definition of “genocide”. within the meaning of the 1948 International Convention.