Calls on the international level to ensure that sanctioned Russian state assets can be used to support Ukraine

On Tuesday, April 2, the Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egner participated in the high-level international meeting on war crimes in Ukraine “Restoring Justice for Ukraine” in The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands. At the meeting, the minister emphasized the need to urgently achieve at the international level that the sanctioned assets of the Russian state and the revenues obtained from them could be directed to the support of Ukraine.

Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere also emphasized that Latvia will continue to support the efforts of the International Criminal Court to investigate war crimes in Ukraine in a targeted manner, and will also participate in all international formats to promote the establishment of a special tribunal for crimes of aggression. Likewise, there is still responsible work ahead – an international and comprehensive compensation mechanism must be created to ensure the efficient operation of the Ukrainian damage register and compensate for the immeasurable pain experienced by the Ukrainian people since the brutal Russian invasion.

Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere stated at the meeting: “Today, when we are looking for ways to restore justice to Ukraine, it is Ukraine that is fighting for our rule of law. Ukrainians protect democratic values ​​with great courage and great sacrifices. Now we, Ukraine’s allies, must be able to effectively use the rule of law as the key to stopping the aggressor Russia. No one else will do it for us. Our unity and determination play a crucial role in defending our democratic values.”

Latvia already provides extensive practical and political support in the investigation of crimes of Russian aggression by sending two permanent experts to the International Criminal Court, as well as Latvian prosecutors participating in the European Union Agency for Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters (Eurojust) in the Joint Investigation Team.

Latvia also plans to seek additional resources to increase the capacity of the International Criminal Court to effectively investigate and punish war crimes committed by Russia. Latvia plans to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian forensics office in order to document the war crimes committed by Russia and ensure accountability.

During the meeting, a joint political declaration was signed, agreeing on specific actions to promote the responsibility of Russian leading officials for aggression against Ukraine, more effective investigation of war crimes committed by Russia, as well as recovery of reparations from Russia, investigation of abduction of Ukrainian children and other issues.

In the continuation of her working visit to The Hague, on Wednesday, April 3, the Minister of Justice will also meet with representatives of Latvia at Eurojust and the International Criminal Court, as well as with the executive director of the recently established Ukrainian loss register, Markijanas Kliuchkovski.

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