Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Ukraine: Special Tribunal

09 May 2023 · 3 other contributors · 9,257 words

Opened by Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

Responding minister: David Rutley

Ukraine

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Richard Foord raised concerns about ukraine: special tribunal in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Speaker concerned about lack of international body to try individuals for crime of aggression in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia
  • Hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire calls on UK Government to champion creation of an internationalized special tribunal in Ukraine
  • Minister notes UK support for international accountability, including contributions to ICC and exploration of special tribunal options

Key requests to Government

The speaker asks the UK Government to champion the cause of creating an internationalized special tribunal based in Ukraine's judicial system to prosecute those responsible for aggression. He suggests that such a tribunal should be as international in character as possible and calls on solidarity among countries allied with Ukraine to support this initiative. The hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire welcomes the Foreign Secretary's commitment to joining the core group set up to further investigate avenues and calls upon the Government to provide any other commitments they can give on this issue.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth

The speaker is concerned about the lack of an international body to try individuals for the crime of aggression in cases involving Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. He mentions that there are no courts or tribunals with jurisdiction over this specific crime because neither the victim state (Ukraine) nor aggressor states have ratified the necessary protocols with the International Criminal Court (ICC). The speaker refers to historical examples like the Nuremberg trials and cites a recent arrest warrant issued by the ICC for Vladimir Putin, which highlights the current limitations of international judicial processes. The hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire is concerned about the lack of a suitable venue for establishing an international tribunal to hold Vladimir Putin and his regime accountable for crimes of aggression in Ukraine. He acknowledges the importance of judicial dexterity, as demonstrated by the UK and former Libyan regime's agreement that allowed the High Court of Justiciary to sit in another country. The hon. Member also commends the work of investigators on the ground who record crimes committed by Russia, highlighting the indiscriminate targeting of civilians with smart munitions.

Other contributors (3)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Mr. Shannon expressed support for holding Russia accountable for its aggression in Ukraine, highlighting the importance of international law and the need to impose criminal liability on individuals responsible for breaches. He urged for clear actions towards establishing a special tribunal for Ukraine, emphasising the need for international cooperation.

  • John Howell Con Henley

    Mr Howell argued that the Council of Europe is better suited than the UN to establish a special tribunal for crimes of aggression in Ukraine due to its existing commitment and recent statements from both the Parliamentary Assembly and Committee of Ministers. He highlighted the need for a comprehensive system of accountability, full reparations, and a register of goods and buildings destroyed by Russian forces. The hon. Member for Henley notes that a big impetus for establishing an international tribunal comes from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as a defensive measure should Russia invade those countries.

  • Stephen Doughty Lab Co-op Cardiff South and Penarth

    Mr Doughty discussed the ongoing devastation caused by Putin's actions in Ukraine, noting the stark contrast between celebrations of the coronation weekend in the UK and the continued suffering in Ukraine. He highlighted the need for a special tribunal to hold Putin accountable for crimes of aggression, emphasizing that such a tribunal is critical for justice and could potentially support further actions like the sequestration of Russian state assets. The MP inquired about the Government's stance on an international special tribunal, urging for clarity regarding the legal processes to sequester and seize Russian state assets rather than just freezing them. He also raised concerns over the recovery and reconstruction conference's finance needs and called for the Minister to update Members on the Government's position.

Government Response

David Rutley

The UK supports international accountability for Russia's actions in Ukraine, including through contributions to the International Criminal Court, support for Ukrainian judicial capacity building, and exploration of a special tribunal. The minister highlighted ongoing efforts within a core group established by Ukraine to consider options for holding Russia accountable for the crime of aggression, acknowledging complex legal challenges but emphasizing continued UK engagement.

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