The leader of Europe’s top human rights body, the Council of Europe, told Euronews that European countries must allocate financial resources and demonstrate political commitment to guarantee justice for Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
Alain Berset, head of the Council of Europe, addressed Euronews on the necessity for European states to fund a dedicated international tribunal to prosecute the perpetrators of aggression crimes in Ukraine, amid ongoing US-led peace negotiations.
The Strasbourg-based organisation, under Berset’s leadership, signed an agreement with Ukraine last June to establish the Special Tribunal, aimed at prosecuting senior Kremlin figures, including President Vladimir Putin, for the unprovoked and full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Where aggression occurs, accountability follows. Where there is devastation and suffering, accountability is essential,” Berset told Euronews’ 12 Minutes With.
“Preparations are underway, yet we need to advance and witness countries committing politically to join these accountability mechanisms.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed that the tribunal’s headquarters be located in The Hague, Netherlands. This court serves to fill the legal gap, given the International Criminal Court (ICC) lacks jurisdiction over the crime of aggression alone.
However, fundraising for the tribunal has become more challenging following the US’s retreat from international entities, thereby increasing the pressure on European countries to fill the financial void. Participation in the Special Tribunal is open to any nation beyond the 46 members of the Council of Europe.
Additionally, the Council has created a Register of Damages to document possible war crimes and an administrative board, the Claims Commission, to evaluate compensation requests.
“Clear definitions regarding expenses and budgets are necessary—plus solid financial backing—since the Council of Europe cannot shoulder this responsibility alone. The scale of the issue surpasses our capacity,” Berset explained.
Last month, the European Union committed the initial €10 million towards funding the Tribunal. Further monetary assistance, however, remains pending.
Sources familiar with the details previously informed Euronews that the Council of Europe’s initial budget draft, including all operational expenses for the tribunal, was approximately €75 million annually.
‘Accountability’ versus ‘impunity’
During a comprehensive interview on Thursday, Berset emphasized that accountability discussions should be included in the ongoing peace negotiations. This week, peace talks between the two parties were held under US auspices in Abu Dhabi.
“It is evident that accountability is part of the broader dialogue, though not always welcomed,” Berset remarked. “In the original 28-point peace plan, one element dealt not with accountability but with impunity.”
The initial US-backed peace proposal for Ukraine, leaked last December, offered a “full amnesty” for wartime acts and a commitment “not to submit claims or consider complaints in the future.”
This approach violated several non-negotiable points for Ukraine and Europe, prompting a counterproposal drafted by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, using the Washington plan as a foundation.
The revised plan included significant changes, such as limits on Ukraine’s military capabilities and adjustments to Kyiv’s NATO membership aspirations.
Berset highlighted that amidst the ongoing devastation and hardship in Ukraine, the Council of Europe contributes important value to the European Union’s support for the nation.
“Our purpose is to connect rule of law, democratic principles, and responsibility; where responsibility exists, accountability must follow,” Berset concluded. “That is precisely what we advocate.”