International Criminal Court: Additional referrals of the situation in Ukraine by Japan and North Macedonia
GHRTV
16-03-2022
Grace ATALUI MOKANGO
International Justice and Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
The Prosecutor of the Court, Karim Khan, recalls that he had expressed his intention on 28 February to request the opening of an investigation into the situation in Ukraine. On 2 March, 39 States Parties to the Rome Statute had already taken the lead in referring to the Situation. These numerous referrals allowed the Prosecutor to open an investigation immediately and start collecting evidence. In his statement of 11 March, the Prosecutor confirms that two additional States, Japan (the first Asian State to refer in this situation and a significant donor to the Court) and Northern Macedonia, have joined the collective referral.
The Prosecutor reports that in response to this unprecedented collective call to action, a team of investigators has been deployed to the region and has already begun the process of collecting evidence. Secondly, he announced the establishment of a portal designed by his office to enable anyone with helpful information and intelligence on the situation in Ukraine to contact the investigators.
Finally, he called for massive dissemination of this information platform, its use, and disclosure of its existence via social networks, national and international media outlets in Ukraine, and worldwide. The Prosecutor declares that he is counting on the cooperation of all and calls once again to respect international humanitarian law by both parties involved in the hostilities.
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