November 30, 2022—Justice ministers representing G7 countries met on Tuesday to plan ways to investigate war crimes and bring war criminals to justice.
Since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine in February 2022, the international community has sought ways to prevent and condemn the aggressive actions, particularly against civilians. For example, in March the UN’s Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning Russia’s action against Ukraine and establishing a UN Council of Inquiry. That same month the International Court of Justice (IJC) authorized an investigation into the allegation of genocide by Russian troops.
Now, as millions of Ukrainians try to survive without power or water after Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, the call to action grows more intense. Yesterday’s meeting by G7 justice ministers in Berlin is part of that response.
Calling A Spade A Spade
Regarding Russian war crimes in Ukraine, the justice ministers didn’t mince words. Part of their joint statement read as follows:
“The Russian Federation is blatantly violating international law, in particular the UN Charter; we also
condemn in the strongest terms the ongoing attacks, the killing and wounding of civilians, non-combatants and prisoners of war, the disappearance of children, the systemic targeting of critical infrastructure and the extensive harm to healthcare personnel and facilities, as well as conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence in Ukraine. There can be no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities. Criminal prosecution of core international crimes is of the highest priority to us.”
The group agreed to facilitate cross-border cooperation; designate a central national contact in each member state; and support the work of nongovernmental organizations investigating crimes.
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