Rada adopts amendments to criminal codes in connection with ratification of the Rome Statute

The Verkhovna Rada has adopted amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes of Ukraine in connection with the ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

This was announced by MP Iryna Gerashchenko.

«The goal is to align national legislation with the Rome Statute, clarify terminology, and define punishments for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.»

The relevant draft law No. 11484 was supported by 228 MPs.

The document also introduces changes to criminal investigation procedures. It establishes clear mechanisms to ensure cooperation with the International Criminal Court.

As a reminder, on 24 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Rome Statute

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court empowers the Court to prosecute the following international crimes:

• Genocide: The intent to destroy a national, racial, ethnic, or religious group.
• Crimes against humanity: Large-scale persecution of civilians.
• War crimes: Violations of the laws and customs of war (e.g., treatment of prisoners of war or the use of prohibited weapons).
• Crimes of aggression: Planning or executing, by a person in control of a military force, an act of aggression in violation of the UN Charter (collectively referred to as international crimes).

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a tribunal established in 1998 to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. It is the first tribunal to operate on a permanent basis and began its work in July 2002, after 60 countries ratified the Rome Statute.

The ICC can hear cases under three conditions:

1. The state has signed and ratified the Statute.
2. The UN Security Council refers the case to the ICC. This has happened twice in the Court’s 23-year history, in the cases of South Sudan and Libya.
3. A state party to the Statute initiates a case at the ICC.

Although Ukraine signed the Rome Statute in January 2000, it has not yet ratified it. To do so, Ukraine needs to amend its Criminal Code to comply with the Statute. Ratification of the Rome Statute is also stipulated in the Association Agreement with the EU.