Justice Ministry and ICC strengthening cooperation in investigation of Russia's crimes against Ukraine

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine and the International Criminal Court (ICC) will continue their cooperation in documenting the Russian Federation’s crimes against Ukraine and strengthening the evidence base.

"In particular, regarding the investigation of the abduction and forced displacement of children, attacks on civilian infrastructure, and crimes in places of detention," the ministry’s press service reported.

The issue of further cooperation was discussed during a meeting between Acting Minister of Justice of Ukraine and Deputy Minister of Justice for European Integration Liyudmyla Suhak and Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Mame Mandiaye Niang.

Suhak briefed the ICC representatives on the Registry of Deported or Forcibly Displaced Children maintained by the agency. According to her, the Registry currently contains 19,950 names. An additional 656 cases are being reviewed by the interagency commission.

"Our goal is to bring all Ukrainian children home. We believe that through joint efforts we can restore justice," she noted, recalling that the international Register of Losses for Ukraine includes a separate category for the forced displacement or deportation of children. It is important that victims receive compensation in the future.

Deputy Minister of Justice Yevhen Pikalov also shared information about Russian crimes in penitentiary institutions.

"Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Russia has occupied 11 prisons or temporary detention facilities in Donetsk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson regions. After de-occupying Kherson region, the government regained control of four facilities, but no one was detained there. In total, Russia has deported approximately 3,100 people who were imprisoned or arrested. We have so far managed to return 53 people," he said.

The Ukrainian side emphasized that these crimes, along with the shelling of civilian targets, are targeted and systemic. Therefore, bringing those responsible to justice remains a priority for Ukraine and the international community. Every crime committed by Russia as part of its aggression against Ukraine must be investigated, and those responsible brought to justice.