PACE Recognizes Need for Compensation for Damage Caused by russia to Ukraine Since 2014

On April 9, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted a resolution that for the first time explicitly recognizes the need to take into account the damage caused by Russia to Ukraine since 2014, including the occupation of Crimea.

This was reported by Suspilne with reference to the resolution document.

The document states that all victims of Russian aggression, including residents of the peninsula, should be entitled to compensation through international redress mechanisms.

The resolution "Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine: the need for accountability, avoiding impunity" officially expands the scope of the Register of Damages, created for compensation, to cover events since 2014. This means that from now on, it will be possible to include losses related to the occupation of Crimea, the conflict in Donbas, and other manifestations of aggression before the full-scale invasion.

The Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the AR of Crimea noted that this step guarantees equal right to justice for all victims, and the Register itself should reflect the full picture of Russia's crimes over the past 10 years.

The resolution also approved the opening of seven new categories of claims in the Register, including cases of disappearance, torture, sexual violence, inhuman treatment and grievous bodily harm. In addition, the Assembly supported the establishment of an international Commission of Complaints for Ukraine and called on Council of Europe member states to facilitate its launch.

The Assembly also expressed support for the idea of establishing a special tribunal for the crime of aggression with the possibility of extending jurisdiction not only to the leadership of the Russian Federation, but also to Belarus and North Korea. At the same time, the PACE condemned Russia's decision to recognize the Registry as an "undesirable organization."

Separately, the Assembly called on the international community to ensure that the aggressor country and Belarus are held accountable for the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war, civilians and political prisoners. The PACE stressed that any peace talks should include humanitarian issues, such as the release of prisoners, the return of deported children, and the reintegration of all illegally displaced persons.

The Crimean Tatar Resource Center and the Mejlis have also recently submitted documents to international partners demanding that the deportation of the Crimean Tatar people be recognized as an act of genocide. The work is ongoing to expand the list of countries that have already recognized this crime, as well as to achieve its international condemnation and bring Russia to justice.

Анна Бальчінос