Court hearings begin in The Hague: Ukraine vs Russia
Hearings have commenced in the United Nations' highest court in The Hague for a case brought forth by Ukraine against Russia. This case pertains to the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014 and the arming of rebels in the east of Ukraine for several years prior to the full-scale invasion by Russia into Ukraine in February 2022. This information is reported on the official court website.
"The International Court of Justice is conducting public hearings in the case concerning the Application of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Ukraine v. Russian Federation)", states the announcement.
Ukraine is requesting that the International Court order the Russian Federation to pay reparations for numerous attacks in Ukrainian regions. Among these, the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down by Russia-backed rebels on July 17, 2014, leading to the death of all 298 passengers and crew on board, as reported by the AP agency.
The hearings at the International Court of Justice concerning the violation of Russia's obligations under the two conventions will continue in The Hague from June 6 to 14.
According to the schedule set by the Court, there will be two rounds of pleadings: the legal team from Ukraine will present their case on June 6 and 12, and Russia's representatives will present their case on June 8 and 14, as the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has reported.
During the hearings, the parties will present their positions, previously outlined during the lengthy stage of the exchange of written documents that began in June 2018. At this stage, the Court merely listens to the parties and may pose additional questions. The Court's final decision in the case is expected at a later date.
In the summer of 2014, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially notified Russia of the violation of both conventions. Between 2014 and 2016, eight rounds of bilateral negotiations were held and about 80 diplomatic notes were sent regarding violations and their classification under the conventions. As a result of these efforts, Ukraine concluded that it was impossible to resolve the dispute through negotiations.
Therefore, on January 16, 2017, a lawsuit was filed with the International Court of Justice. Simultaneously, Ukraine approached the Court with a request for the application of provisional measures in this case.
Throughout 2017-2018, Russia attempted to prove that the International Court of Justice did not have jurisdiction to hear this dispute. However, on November 8, 2019, the Court ruled in favour of Ukraine's position and decided to proceed with the examination of the violations alleged by Ukraine. No requests from Russia were satisfied at this stage.
These four days of hearings in The Hague take place against the backdrop of the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II, initiated by the Russian Federation in Ukraine last year.
In reminder, today, Tuesday, June 6, Russian forces detonated a large dam of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in the occupied Ukrainian territory. This threatens a major technogenic and environmental disaster and massive flooding. Ukraine has initiated the evacuation of the civilian population.