Press Statement from Frances Fitzgerald MEP
Thursday 19th May 2022
Fitzgerald tells National Women’s Council that the prosecution of war crimes in Ukraine must begin now
Dublin MEP Frances Fitzgerald today (Thursday), speaking from Brussels to Beyond Exploitation and the National Women’s Council of Ireland event on Trafficking, Prostitution and Sexual Exploitation in the context of the war in Ukraine said, “Having just come from the plenary session of the European Parliament where we voted to establish a Special International Tribunal for the punishment of war crimes, I am absolutely adamant that every Russian soldier who commits rape in Ukraine must face the full force of our international justice system. Such horrendous crimes against women and children can have devastating effects on the physical and mental health of victims for an entire life and they are entitled to justice”.
Ms. Fitzgerald continued, “The International Criminal Court (ICC) does not, at present, have jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes of aggression committed by the political leaders and military commanders of the Russian Federation and its allies against Ukraine, as neither the Russian federation nor Ukraine have ratified the Rome Statute and the amendments relating to crimes of aggression. Crimes of aggression are acts of aggression by a State constituting a violation of the UN Charter. This grave anomaly must be rectified urgently, and I call on Member States to take immediate and swift action to include crimes of aggression in the mandate of the Special Tribunal”.
“Perpetrators of war crimes and other serious rights violations, as well as government officials and military leaders responsible, must be held fully accountable. We must support the investigation launched by the ICC Prosecutor into war crimes in Ukraine”.
“In the meantime we must ensure that we offer the best supports to victims of sexual violence, including healthcare both physical and mental and I welcome the EU Commission’s announcement of €1.5 million for a dedicated project to support the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in assisting women and girls in Ukraine by providing sexual and reproductive health services”.
“There can be no impunity for those who commit rape in the name of war,” concluded MEP Fitzgerald.
ENDS
Notes to the editor
European Parliament resolution on the fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2022-0281_EN.pdf
Contact:
Conor Glynn
+353 83 386 6022
