Rada adopts amendments to the Criminal Code related to the ratification of the Rome Statute

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

This was announced by MP Iryna Gerashchenko.

«The aim is to align national legislation with the Rome Statute, clarify terminology and establish penalties for crimes such as genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.”

The corresponding bill No. 11484 was supported by 228 deputies.

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

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

Roman Statute

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

• genocide: The intent to destroy a national, racial, ethnic or religious group.
• Crimes against humanity: Mass persecution of civilians.
• war crimes: Violations of the laws and customs of war (e.g. treatment of prisoners of war or use of prohibited weapons).
• Crime of aggression: Planning or carrying out an act of aggression in violation of the UN Charter by a person commanding a military force (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 court to operate permanently 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 signed and ratified the statute.
2. The UN Security Council refers the case to the International Criminal Court. 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 International Criminal Court.

Although Ukraine signed the Rome Statute in January 2000, it has not yet ratified it. To do this, Ukraine must change its criminal code to bring it into line with the law. The association agreement with the EU also provides for the ratification of the Rome Statute.