International Court of Justice begins hearing on Ukraine vs Russia case
The International Court of Justice in The Hague begins hearings on the lawsuit of Ukraine against Russia on genocide charges amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry wrote on Facebook on March 7.
The Ukrainian delegation is presenting a legal position in the case against Russia in the International Court of Justice in accordance with the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
“Russia manipulates international law and, in particular, the said Convention, which is a fundamental international treaty in the field of human rights protection and used it for armed aggression against Ukraine,” the diplomats wrote.
Ukraine appeals to the International Court of Justice with a request to impose the following preventive measures in the case to stop the bloodshed:
• Russia must immediately stop the hostilities that began on the territory of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022;
• Russia must ensure without delay that any military or other armed units under its control or influence cease participating in hostilities.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stressed that Ukrainian diplomats and lawyers were defending not only their freedom and independence, but the entire international legal order.
“The International Court of Justice should take the side of Ukraine and immediately impose precautionary measures: order the Russian Federation to immediately stop hostilities,” he said.
At 0500 a.m. on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a “military operation” against Ukraine.
Previously, the Russian government had repeatedly stated that it would not attack Ukraine, though it had been massing troops and military hardware to the Ukrainian borders for months.
The confrontation continues for the 12th day. Russia is advancing from the north, east and south, shelling peaceful cities from artillery and from the air.
Ordinary Ukrainians and the Ukrainian military continue to defend themselves, the shelling of Ukrainian cities does not stop.
At the same time, international support is growing – Western countries are increasingly strengthening sanctions against Russia.
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