9:00 am, March 6, 2022
On Wednesday, March 2, the Attorney General of the International Criminal Court, British Karim Khan, announced in a press release that an investigation into the situation in Ukraine would be “immediately opened” after obtaining the consent of thirty-nine countries. According to Mr. Khan, there would be “reasonable grounds” for believing that crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court were committed in Ukraine. The investigation will cover all acts committed in Ukraine “since November 21, 2013,” he added. Jean-Maurice Ripert, former ambassador to Moscow from 2013 to 2017, is reconsidering this decision.
How do you explain the speed with which the International Criminal Court began investigating war crimes in Ukraine?
The Ukrainian authorities have already arrested the ICC prosecutor in 2014 in connection with the crimes committed, according to her, during the annexation of Crimea and the events in the Donbass. The Prosecutor General said that he was even investigating the execution of protesters on the Maidan at the end of 2013. [lors des protestations contre l’ancien président ukrainien prorusse Ianoukovitch]. Today, the prosecutor’s office decided to summarize the facts committed during the invasion of Ukraine, among other things, “crimes of aggression.” But the conflict began only ten days ago… Justice, by definition, condemns after the fact, punishing the guilty. But it can have a deterrent aspect. With this investigation, the ICC is trying to do everything to dissuade the Russian authorities from continuing their criminal activities, primarily Vladimir Putin. This poll is a signal to those who might be tempted to go further. Arrest warrants issued by the ICC for war crimes or crimes against humanity are issued on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, today everyone should know that justice will prevail, that there will be no impunity. Bombs dropped on houses, schools, kindergartens are war crimes. Women, children, old people die every day under Russian bombs. We cannot stand aside, we must do everything to help this population. Justice is one way to do this and honor the memory of the victims.
See also – War in Ukraine: in the face of the Russian invasion, hold out at all costs
However, Moscow’s war crimes have been documented for years, there was Chechnya, Crimea, Syria…
Unfortunately, a number of politicians still found excuses for Vladimir Putin. We had to come to an agreement with him at all costs, for the sake of the future of Europe, and we always had to be wary of our NATO partners and allies, in particular the United States. Some confuse their love for Russia, its history, culture, people with the support of Vladimir Putin. But Putin still rehabilitated Stalin! He carried out purges, imprisoned, sent to camps, killed opponents … Having attacked the Memorial organization. [qui documente la répression politique], he wants to kill the memory of the Gulag. Vladimir Putin denied the role of Russia in the annexation of Crimea, it is extraordinary. And there are people who believe in it. But here it is no longer possible. Crimes are no longer hidden. Putin himself has declared his desire to destroy Ukraine.
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If we allow them, aspiring dictators will become dictators and take action.
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So this crime of aggression against Ukraine shakes the world?
Yes. The fact that 37 member states of the International Criminal Court are asking the prosecutor to investigate crimes committed in Ukraine is a turning point. Never before have so many countries made such a request. It took a long time, claimed too many deaths, but the world has finally opened its eyes to the fact that if they are not stopped, would-be dictators become dictators and act.