International law experts agree that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is contrary to international law. The International Criminal Court in The Hague, ICC,’s task now is to ensure that respect for the law against aggression is complied with, says Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
– For Russia, the world order was disturbed by invading the independent state of Ukraine.
Those who have so far been brought to justice in Ukraine are ordinary soldiers, not generals, not the president of Russia. What can the ICC do in cases like these?
– The only court that can investigate President Putin is the ICC.
Crimes against humanity
The ICC can investigate whether Putin has committed crimes against humanity, says Luis Moreno-Ocampo.
– Putin did not make any decisions about bombing or artillery shelling of hospitals, but the military strategy that Putin applied led to more than twelve million people being forced to flee. It was a crime against humanity and this can be investigated by the ICC prosecutors.
In order for the ICC to be able to investigate specific crimes against humanity, it is only necessary for Ukraine to give the court the right to initiate a trial.
However, in order for the ICC to be able to investigate whether Putin has committed a crime of aggression, both Ukraine and Russia must accept that the court will initiate a trial.
“The judicial system can guarantee peace”
But trials are not the most important thing, the legal system itself as such can enable humanity to live in peace, says Luis Moreno-Ocampo and compares it to the war game “Fortnite”. Hear him explain in the video.