218 MPs supported the ratification of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, or the Rome Statute. This is an important step towards joining the European Union, as well as strengthening Ukraine’s cooperation with the ICC to bring Russia to justice for its crimes.

The Rome Statute is an international agreement that became the basis for the creation of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and defines the list of crimes subject to its jurisdiction, namely: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression. 

From now on, Ukraine will be able to become a full-fledged member of the International Criminal Court, in particular: to put issues on the agenda of the Assembly of States Parties, to have its judge at the ICC and to participate in the work of the court. It will also facilitate Ukrainians’ access to the special Trust Fund for Victims, which will increase the chances of receiving compensation for victims of crimes committed by Russia. 

As a reminder, Ukraine signed the Rome Statute on January 20, 2000, but in July 2001, the Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional. After 2014, Ukraine adopted declarations recognizing the jurisdiction of the ICC. 

Representatives of the academic community, human rights defenders, the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission, and the European Union have previously requested Ukraine to ratify the statute.