We can’t bring lives back, but we are obliged to bring justice and hope for many victims for their suffering and pain (for Masha, who lost her parents, for Bohdan, who lost his legs, for Irina, who lost her husband and house, for Lesya, who was raped and had to flee, for the children who lost their school and teachers in Bucha and elsewhere). Victims have names and so do the bastards who committed the crimes.
Russia has blatantly violated the fundamental principles we believe in - the UN Charter, international humanitarian and human rights law. Russia continues to ignore the General Assembly’s calls to stop its aggression.
The wounds they scrape will remain and cannot heal until justice prevails and justice will prevail, we will never forget this horrible cruelty.
In April 2022, the Estonian Parliament was one of the first to recognise Russian atrocities as an act of genocide against Ukrainian people and call on national parliaments and international organisations to do the same
The ICC’s arrest warrants against Putin and Lvova-Belova give hope for justice. The warrant signals a determination against impunity. It points to the enormous scale of the abuses committed by Russian forces and their proxies for which Putin bears ultimate responsibility. Arrest warrant against Putin is only the beginning of the process of holding Russian leaders to account for the atrocity crimes, including for the crime of aggression.
Russian abuses in Ukraine extend far beyond the deportation of children and the heinous crimes committed in Bucha. Complete list of atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine will come with the names of those who must be held accountable. Only the end of impunity will contribute to the prevention of such crimes
ICC does not have jurisdiction over the crime of aggression in Ukraine, therefore we support Ukraine in their endeavours and concentrate on establishment of an international special tribunal with the wide cross-regional UN participation and prosecute the crimes of aggression in Ukraine.
The crime of aggression the “supreme international crime” is at the origin of all the other crimes committed in Ukraine and actually paves the road for other atrocity crimes.
We know from our history what an aggression is and understand why we have to stay united to assure accountability for the crime of aggression. The atrocity crimes committed by the Soviet Union during the Second World War were left unpunished.
Now, Estonia is committed to find ways to ensure accountability of Russia’s political and military leadership for the crime of aggression. It is our duty to find solution that will not let Russia’s leadership hide behind personal immunities.
In May the Core Group on the special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine will be invited to meet in Tallinn. We will work tirelessly to achieve a broad
I call upon all States to engage in gaining global support to ensuring accountability for the crime of aggression committed in Ukraine.
Estonia is a friend and staunch supporter of Ukraine and our belief in Ukraine’s victory is strong in both words and deeds. Together we shall bring all perpetrators to justice!
