Field mission entailed discussion of the organization of the 40^th Annual Forum

On 12 March 2018, PGA President Hon. Margareta Cederfelt, MP (Sweden, also Vice- President Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE-PA), accompanied by PGA Secretary-General Dr. David Donat Cattin and PGA Legal Officer Frederika Schweighoferova, conducted a field mission to Kyiv, Ukraine. The purpose of the mission, in furtherance to a previous one in October 2017, was to discuss the organization of PGA 40^th Annual Forum, which coincides with the 10th Consultative Assembly of Parliamentarians on International Criminal Court and the Rule of Law (CAP-ICC), to be held in November 2018.

During the mission, the PGA Delegation conducted high-level meetings with the Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine) Hon. Andriy Parubiy, MP and members of PGA in Ukraine, including the Chairman of the Committee on Human Rights, National Minorities and International Relations of the Rada and Chairman of PGA National Group, Hon. Hryhoriy Nemyria, MP, and a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Head of the Sub-Committee on European and Euro-Atlantic Relations of the Rada, Hon. Svitlana Zalishchuk, MP, as well as representatives of NGO partner of PGA, Centre for Civil Liberties, Ms. Oleksandra Romatsova and Ms. Maryna Lilichenko.

The meeting with Speaker Parubiy was organized with the objective of introducing the concept of the 40th Annual Forum of PGA and explaining the significance of convening the Forum in Ukraine. The Forum, the first one ever organised in Central and Eastern Europe, represents a unique opportunity to raise the international profile of Ukraine, while demonstrating the country`s solidarity and support for international justice and the Rule of Law.

At the outset, PGA President Hon. Margareta Cederfelt, MP reiterated PGA`s support for Ukraine in all aspects concerning the reinforcement of the Rule of Law. She made a reference to the intertwined activities focused on Ukraine undertaken in her capacity as both PGA President and the Vice- President of the OSCE-PA. During her speech, Hon. Cederfelt congratulated the Honorable Speaker on proceeding with the adoption of the draft legislation on the formation of a new anti-corruption court, which was submitted to Verkhovna Rada last year.

Hon. Speaker Parubiy, MP acknowledged his appreciation for the valuable cooperation with PGA. He welcomed the proposal of Ukraine becoming the host country of the 40^th Annual Forum and reassured the PGA Delegation that the matter is being reviewed by the Committee on Foreign Affairs. He stressed the importance of the existence of a functional justice system that holds perpetrators of international crimes to account, especially in light of the current situation in Ukraine and the on-going widespread persecution of ethnic or national groups.

The organisation of the PGA Annual Forum was at the heart of the discussion. PGA Secretary- General, Dr. David Donat Cattin explained the purpose, logistical arrangements and concept of this important event. The Annual Forum is the only global gathering of PGA Legislators from all continents, inviting also high-level government and intergovernmental officials and experts: In 2018, the PGA Board and the PGA Ukraine National Group agreed to focus on the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern and reinforcement of the Rule of Law. Dr. Donat Cattin emphasized that the year 2018 represents a unique moment for PGA and the fight against impunity: the 40^th Annual Forum of PGA coincides with the 10^th CAP-ICC, which will be the theme of the 2018 Forum and will represent a major initiative to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute of the ICC.

In this context, Ukrainian PGA Members highlighted the necessity of Ukraine joining the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a mechanism to prevent and repress all crimes under international law, including the crime of aggression committed against the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Hon. Hryhoriy Nemyria, MP referred to the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, adopted unanimously by all Ukrainian political parties and Members of Parliament in 2014, through which Ukraine undertakes the obligation to ratify and implement the Rome Statute of the ICC and enhance cooperation with EU in this regard.

PGA Delegation also held a separate meeting with Hon. Hryhoriy Nemyria, MP, Hon. Svitlana Zalishchuk, MP, as well as representatives of Centre for Civil Liberties to discuss the current developments regarding the draft law on the implementation of the Rome Statute into Ukrainian Legislation. The draft law was formally launched in July 2016 during “Parliamentary Roundtable on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law and the Rome Statute of the ICC into Ukrainian Legislation”, co- organized by PGA Members from the Verkhovna Rada and the NGO conglomerate “Human Rights Agenda” with the support by the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

During the meetings, PGA members expressed their firm commitment to further support and encourage convening the 40^th PGA Annual Forum in Kyiv. They affirmed that this PGA event would represent a significant momentum to address the interests of justice not only at the international level, but also at the domestic level in Ukraine. It is also of timely significance: the ratification of the Rome Statute may become achievable following the entry into effect of a relevant Constitutional provision in the second half of the year 2019. The Forum will therefore provide an opportunity to raise the level of attention of relevant stakeholders and participants about the significance and long-term added-value of Ukraine joining the Rome Statute system.