Our laws must be ready to respond not only to arrests and charges against putin, but also against all other international criminals — Oleksandra Romantsova

The national justice system must be prepared to recognize all war crimes and crimes against humanity.

During a briefing at Media Center Ukraine — Ukrinform, Oleksandra Romantsova, Executive Director at the Center for Civil Liberties NGO, made this statement, commenting on the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for russian president vladimir putin and Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova. They are accused of illegally deporting children from the territory of Ukraine to russia.

“Our “homework” is to get our laws prepared to respond not only to the arrests and charges against putin, but also against all other international criminals. Because, unfortunately, currently the Ukrainian laws are not ready for one of these criminals to change their identity and hide in Ukraine, for example. I mean russian officers, soldiers, etc.”

According to Oleksandra Romantsova, it is crucial to “ratify the Rome Statute, prepare our legislation for the recognition of all types of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which are not in our Criminal Code at all.”

“Because whatever happens to putin at the international level — and the international level is important — in order to overcome his international immunity, we will have to work a lot on cases at the national level. Our national justice system must be prepared, and preferably with the participation of international experts. Because it suggests objectivity, it gives transparency to the process and (ensures) its recognition at the international level. So we continue to work. There’s a lot of work (to do).”

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