Belgium asks International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of war crimes in Ukraine

Belgium is deeply concerned about the developments in Ukraine. Last week, there were several reports of attacks on citizens and the use of cluster bombs. The Belgian government reminds everyone that even in war there are laws.

Also, in times of armed conflict, all parties are required to respect international humanitarian law. On 28 February, the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in recent years in Ukraine and that he intends to include the new allegations of crimes in this investigation. He has already instructed his team to explore all possibilities to preserve the evidence.

At the initiative of the United Kingdom, Belgium and a number of other countries, a formal request will be filed with the International Criminal Court to launch an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

This direct request by states that are signatories to the ICC will expedite the process and will allow the court in The Hague to immediately conduct an independent and objective investigation into the most heinous of the alleged crimes.