EU’s €10 million for Ukraine tribunal team
The Council of Europe (CoE) and EU have signed an agreement to fund an advance team to establish the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
The bodies say that the aim of the joint project is to create a team to prepare the institutional, logistical, and organisational foundations of the tribunal.
The CoE will manage the joint project, which will lay the groundwork for the election of the tribunal's judges and prosecutor, and the development of rules on procedure and evidence, as well as its court-management system.
The EU will contribute €10 million to the Special Tribunal Advance Team (STAT).
‘No impunity’
CoE secretary general Alain Berset described the agreement as “a major step towards ensuring justice and accountability for the people of Ukraine”.
Kaja Kallas (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) described the move as “a concrete step towards justice”.
“Russia’s leaders are responsible for this war, and they must be held accountable. There can be no impunity,” she added.
Justice commissioner Michael McGrath said that the tribunal was “essential” to ensure a just and lasting peace “by holding Russia accountable for its crime of aggression”.