The following article was originally posted on the website of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on March 12, 2018
On March 12th, the Chairman of the Ukrainian National Group of Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA), Mr. Hryhoriy Nemyria, MP, held a meeting with the President of PGA Mrs. Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden) and PGA Secretary General, Dr. David Donat-Cattin.
The parties discussed the situation in Ukraine and the issue of inter-parliamentary cooperation. Separately, it was about protecting human rights and freedoms in our state, the state of the justice system and the prospect of ratification by Ukraine of the Rome Statute.
It is very important for us to be in Ukraine at this time of real challenges. Your country should be at the center of the international agenda, taking into account the undeclared war in the East of Ukraine and the illegal annexation of the Crimea by Russia. Margareta Cederfelt.
In his turn, Hryhoriy Nemyria thanked for the support and stressed the need for Ukraine to ratify the Rome Statute and join the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In addition, the parties discussed issues related to the organization of the 40th Annual Forum of PGA in Ukraine in 2018.
The meeting was also attended by People's Deputy of Ukraine Ms. Svetlana Zalishchuk (PGA Member) and expert of the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL) Ms. Marina Lilichenko: CCL is a partner of the Campaign for the Rome Statute of the ICC in Ukraine and before relevant regional organizations.
Parliamentarians for Global Action is the largest transnational network of parliamentarians (over 1,300 members) from all regions of the world (142 countries), who are engaged in the protection of human rights and human security, upholding the rule of law, non-discrimination and gender equality. One of the priorities of the activities of Parliamentarians for Global Action is to support the effective functioning of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and overcome impunity, as well as the universal ratification of the Rome Statute of the ICC.
The Rome Statute of the ICC – adopted on July 17, 1998 – came into force on July 1, 2002, thus permitting the exercise of jurisdiction by the ICC from that date. The crimes that fall under the active jurisdiction of the ICC are: Genocide; Crimes against humanity; War crimes and, starting from 17 July 2018, the crime of aggression. After ratification of the Rome Statute by Ukraine, the International Criminal Court will have jurisdiction to prosecute those who 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.
