Russia refused to ratify Rome Statute after recognition by The Hague Court Crimea annexation as war against Ukraine

Refusal to ratify the Rome Statute of the ICC means that the crimes committed on the territory of Russia will not fall under the jurisdiction of the international court in Hague.

It is said in the disposal of the Russian President Vladimir Putin that initiator of such decision was the Russian Federation Ministry of Justice in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other «relevant executive authorities». The disposal comes into force from the date of its signing, so it is from Wednesday, 16 November.

Russia signed the Rome Statute in 2000, but till today it has not ratified one. At the same time Russia is taking part in the work of the International Criminal Court as an observer.

On the eve of 15 November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) considered that the situation in annexed Crimea was equivalent to the international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. In the annual report of the preliminary investigation, released on November 14, it is stated that the law of international armed conflict applied to the situation in Crimea:

«According to received information, the situation in Crimea and Sevastopol is equivalent to the international armed conflict between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. This international armed conflict began no later than 26 February when the Russian Federation has involved members of its armed forces to gain control over parts of the territory of Ukraine without the consent of the Government of Ukraine».

The Court also considered that the fact of establishment the legitimacy of the initial intervention resulted in the occupation is not required. Thus, the international conflict can be investigated by the Rome Statute standards.

To remind some facts, on 16 March, 2014 the so-called referendum took place due to the support of the Russian army in Crimea and Russia annexed the peninsula. Its results had been recognized only by a few countries in the world dependent on Russia. On 27 March, 2014 the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution «on the territorial integrity of Ukraine». The «Big Seven» countries and the European Union imposed economic sanctions against Russia in a protest against the violation of the international law and the armed aggression.