Norway deeply regrets the new US sanctions on 2 ICC judges & 2 deputy prosecutors. Such measures undermine the @IntlCrimCourt ‘s independence and integrity. 🇳🇴 firmly supports the ICC’s mandate — to act with impartiality and Independence.
While Putin celebrates his Red Square parade, we gathered in Ukraine with nearly four dozen Core Group member states and adopted the Lviv Statement. It provides political endorsement for the establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine.
The Tribunal will be formalised soon within the Council of Europe and I thank @coe and its Secretary General @alain_berset for playing the central role in this process.
The Tribunal will work in The Hague and will be able to hold Russian political and military leadership accountable for the crime of aggression.
Putin may think he is a victor at the parade tribune, but in fact he is a criminal whose place is at the tribunal for the crime of aggression.
Today's historic meeting was opened by Prime Minister @Denys_Shmyhal, moderated by @IrynaRMudra, and supported by @coe, the EU, and Core Group countries. Most importantly, @ZelenskyyUa's strong leadership enabled this milestone.
I am pleased that international criminal law has returned to Lviv, the city associated with Sir Hersch Lauterpacht, who introduced the concept of crime against humanity, and Rafael Lemkin, a founding father of the Genocide Convention. Justice must prevail.
Full Lviv Statement: https://t.co/PMYXU2r8JJ
The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and other representatives of the States participating in the Core Group on the Establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine adopted the Lviv Statement where they:
1️⃣ welcome the completion of the technical work on the draft legal instruments necessary to establish within the framework of the Council of Europe a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine
2️⃣ reaffirm the critical importance of the Special Tribunal in delivering justice by holding accountable those who bear the greatest responsibility for this most serious international crime committed against Ukraine
3️⃣ underline that once established, in accordance with its Statute, the Special Tribunal will conduct its proceedings in full respect of international law and human rights, with the aim of securing accountability for the crime of aggression and strengthening the international legal order
4️⃣ express gratitude to all those who have actively contributed to the preparatory work on the draft legal instruments necessary for the establishment of the Special Tribunal, in particular the legal advisers participating in the Core Group
5️⃣ underline the central role of @coe in establishing the Special Tribunal and acknowledge the significant contribution of @EU_Commission and the @eu_eeas, including their work on the draft Agreement between Ukraine and the Council of Europe on the establishment of the Special Tribunal, the draft Statute of the Special Tribunal, and the draft Enlarged Partial Agreement outlining the modalities of support for the Special Tribunal, including its funding and other administrative aspects
6️⃣ reaffirm continued commitment to the process of establishing the Special Tribunal within the framework of the Council of Europe, to the swift commencement of its operations, and to supporting its effective functioning
7️⃣ call upon other states and international organizations to join the efforts and actively support the Special Tribunal's activities
8️⃣ those who represent member States of the Council of Europe look forward to the meeting of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Luxembourg 🇱🇺 on 13-14 May 2025, which will constitute the next step toward formalizing the establishment of the Special Tribunal within the framework of the Council of Europe
🔗Read the full statement: https://t.co/rIfgColqyP
Today in Lviv, the EU foreign ministers supported the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russian Aggression against Ukraine. It is symbolic that the meeting of the Core Group took place on the days when the world is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism in the Second World War. The devastating russian terror against the civilian population is the same as what the Nazis did. The next step is to initiate the legal process to establish the Tribunal. That will happen in the near future. I am grateful to the Government of the Netherlands for its willingness to host the Tribunal in The Hague. I also thank all those who have worked hard for three years to make this idea a reality, the Council of Europe and the European Union, as well as the legal teams of all states who are already laying the groundwork for future justice.
______
Сьогодні у Львові міністри закордонних справ ЄС підтримали створення Спеціального трибуналу щодо злочину агресії росії проти України. Символічно, що зустріч Коаліції держав відбулася в дні, коли світ відзначає 80-річчя перемоги над нацизмом в Другій світовій війні. Руйнівний російський терор проти цивільного населення — це те саме, що чинили нацисти. Наступний крок — запуск юридичної процедури створення трибуналу. Він буде зроблений найближчим часом. Дякую Уряду Нідерландів за готовність розмістити його в Гаазі. Також дякую усім, хто три роки наполегливо працював для того, щоб цей задум втілився в життя, Раді Європи та Європейському Союзу, юридичним командам усіх держав, які вже сьогодні створюють основу майбутнього правосуддя.
Honored to be in Ukraine for Europe Day with fellow EU foreign ministers and representatives.
At the Field of Mars in Lviv, we paid tribute to the fallen heroes. Their sacrifice reminds us why our support for Ukraine remains unwavering—in defense of freedom and democracy 🇺🇦🇳🇴🇪🇺
I was pleased to receive Vice President Aitala of the @IntlCrimCourt in Oslo today. The #ICC plays a key role in ensuring accountability for international crimes.
Norway will continue to stand up for the Court and its independence.
@NorwayMFA In Norway, #ICC First Vice-President Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala met with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice H.E. Mr Joakim Øren, where they discussed international cooperation and outreach. @Justisdep#BuildingSupport
#ICC First Vice-President Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala spoke at an event on the #ICC, its role & challenges in today’s geopolitical situation, at @NorwayMFA with contributions from the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs #Norway H.E. Mr Andreas Kravik.
During an official visit to #Norway, #ICC First Vice-President Judge Rosario Salvatore Aitala met with Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Espen Barth Eide @EspenBarthEide. Discussions on support to ICC & strengthening int'l criminal justice & int'l law. @NorwayMFA#BuildingSupport
Any State Party to the Rome Statute is obliged to arrest and surrender any person subject to an ICC arrest warrant.
I urge the Hungarian government to comply with its ICC obligations. There must be no impunity for international crimes - @EspenBarthEide
Norway regrets Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court. The @IntlCrimCourt plays a key role in ensuring accountability for international crimes, and Norway will continue to support and defend the Court.
@NorwayAmbUNOG at #HRC58:
🇳🇴appreciates the OHCHR’s tireless dedication to protecting human rights worldwide
We urge all states to pay their contributions in full & on time to strengthen the OHCHR to uphold its independence & integrity
Full statement:
https://t.co/Rx1k3YXy4u
Together with 🇧🇪 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇮🇸 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇳🇱 🇵🇱 🇸🇪 🇬🇧, Norway is committed to tackling the shadow fleet.
🇷🇺 uses the fleet to fund its war against Ukraine, posing environmental risks and undermining global shipping standards.
https://t.co/D0ty3dN4vU
Norway together with 78 States Parties, expresses its support for the independence, impartiality, & integrity of the #ICC.
Measures sanctioning the Court increase the risk of impunity for the most serious crimes & threaten to erode the international rule of law.
Read op ed by State Secretary Andreas Kravik explaining why communicating with all actors is in Norway’s and the West’s interests,
➡️ https://t.co/AET98mo5Lp
Historic majority in the UN today. 137 countries spoke out: It is unacceptable for Israel to block life-saving support to Palestinians under occupation.
Respect for international law must be upheld. Humanitarian access is imperative. Everywhere.
https://t.co/cFCuhsHAdo
Informative piece about the initiative to ask ICJ for advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations to ensure that the UN, other organizations and states can deliver humanitarian assistance and basic services to Palestinians under occupation. https://t.co/UVEe0fOU1X
Grateful to our friends from 🇩🇰🇪🇪🇫🇮🇩🇪🇮🇸🇱🇻🇱🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇵🇱🇸🇪🇬🇧 for unity in countering the Russian "shadow fleet." Your commitment to maritime security and environmental protection inspires us all.