The following article was originally posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on October 04, 2017 (translated via www)

Information department of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Chairman of the Human Rights Committee Hryhoriy Nemyria held a meeting with the Secretary General of the Parliamentarians for Global Action.

Today, the Chairman of the Ukranian National Group of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), Hryhoriy Nemyria, met with the Secretary-General of PGA, Dr, David Donat Cattin, and the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations.

During the meeting, the parties discussed the situation in Ukraine and the issue of inter-parliamentary cooperation. Separately, the meetings touched on protecting human rights and freedoms in Ukraine, the current state of the justice system, and the prospect of ratification by Ukraine of the Rome Statute.

"Our goal is to support democratic institutions in Ukraine and help you move forward through legislative reforms," ​​said David Donat Cattin.

In his turn, Hryhoriy Nemyria thanked Dr. Cattin for the support and stressed the need for Ukraine to ratify the Rome Statute and join the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In addition, the interlocutors exchanged views on the possibility of holding next year's Consulative Assembly of Parliamentarians for the International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law in Ukraine to discuss Ukraine's ratification of the Rome Statute and the establishment of the rule of law principle.

People's deputies of Ukraine Yuriy Chizmare, Svitlana Zalishchuk and expert of the Center for Civil Liberties Oleksandr Romantsov also attended the meeting.

For reference. Parliamentarians for Global Action is the largest international network of parliamentarians (1,300 members) from all regions of the world (more than 142 countries) who are advocating for the protection of human rights and human security, upholding the rule of law, non-discrimination and gender equality. One of the priorities of the Parliamentarians for Global Action is to support the effective functioning of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and overcome impunity, as well as the ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC.

The Rome Statute of the ICC came into force on July 1, 2002, thus enacting the jurisdiction of the ICC. The crimes considered by the ICC include genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression. Upon ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine, the International Criminal Court will have jurisdiction over the prosecution of persons who have committed the most severe violations of human rights and humanitarian law in the territory of the State or in relation to a citizen of that State.

On November 28, 2017, the PGA International Council, in which the National Group of Ukraine is planning to participate, will be held in Milan (Italy).