In order to pursue war crimes in Ukraine, where Russia continues to invade militarily, a meeting was held in the United Kingdom to discuss the ICC = International Criminal Court and ministers of more than 40 countries. In light of the ICC's issuance of an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, countries stepped up their support for the ICC and confirmed their policy of never tolerating war crimes.
The meeting, held in London, England, was attended by Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor who is investigating war crimes in Ukraine, where Russia continues its military invasion, and senior government officials from more than 40 countries, including Japan.
In his opening remarks, Chief Prosecutor Khan referred to the fact that he had issued an arrest warrant for President Putin on suspicion of war crimes over the transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia, saying, "It is sad that we have to issue an arrest warrant for the first time for the leader of a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I appealed.
"Arrest warrants are a clear declaration that anyone who commits an international crime will be punished," a Ukrainian prosecutor said, calling for the ICC to support attacks on civilians and sexual violence.
Speaking after the meeting, British Deputy Prime Minister Raab revealed that countries had announced to the ICC additional support of £400 million, or more than 6 million yen in Japan yen, as well as the dispatch of experts to improve investigative techniques. It is important that we were able to provide practical support for the ICC's mandate."
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice Takami: "Further strengthening cooperation in the field of expertise"
Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice Yasuhiro Takami, who attended the meeting as a representative of the Japan, told NHK, "The ICC is extremely important for the international community to embody the rule of law, and I believe that the investigation of war crimes will become increasingly important both quantitatively and qualitatively."
"We have Japan the knowledge to cooperate with the investigation without deepening the emotional wounds of people who are traumatized, and we would like to further strengthen our professional cooperation in addition to dispatching prosecutors," he said, indicating that the Japan will focus on supporting the ICC.
European Commission Member: "Provide all possible equipment and financial support"
"Our goal has been to bring to justice the perpetrators of war crimes since the beginning, but we can also bring the crimes of aggression to justice, and we need adequate support at the national level," Commissioner Rendels of the European Commission, the executive body of the EU = European Union, told the press. The ICC will provide all possible equipment and financial support to advance the investigation."