Ukraine, Moldova, Netherlands first to sign convention for compensating Ukraine
The Council of Europe, at a conference on the establishment of an International Commission for Compensation for Damage Caused by Russia, adopted on Tuesday the Convention on the Establishment of an International Commission for the Consideration of Claims for Ukraine, which is part of the mechanism for compensation for damage caused by the aggression of the Russian Federation.
The first to sign it were the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands David van Wiel, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Moldova Mihai Popshoi.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy also took part in the conference.
As reported, the International Commission for the Consideration of Claims for Ukraine was established under the auspices of the Council of Europe. It will be an administrative body that will consider, assess and make decisions on claims for compensation for damage, loss and harm caused by internationally wrongful acts committed by the Russian Federation in or against Ukraine.
"According to international law, a state that has committed an internationally wrongful act is obliged to fully compensate for the damage caused by that act. It is true that justice and reparations are necessary for victims to be able to overcome the consequences of what they have experienced... The Council of Europe is working on precisely such a comprehensive compensation mechanism, as was emphasized in the Declaration of the Reykjavik Summit in 2023. This includes, as the first component of the mechanism, the already established Register of Damages for Ukraine, which is operational and has received over 60,000 applications, the International Commission for the Consideration of Applications as the second component, and the Compensation Fund as a future third step," the Council of Europe reported.
Any state, the EU and any other regional integration organization can become a member of the Commission by becoming a party to the Convention. The draft Convention will be open for signature by all member States of the Council of Europe, the European Union and any other States participating in the diplomatic conference for the adoption of the Convention, as well as by any other States that voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution of 14 November 2022 on “Promoting the exercise of legal protection and ensuring reparation for damage in connection with the aggression against Ukraine”. After the Convention enters into force, the Parties may invite any other State or regional integration organisation to accede to the Convention. All members, whether or not they are member States of the Council of Europe, will have equal rights before the Complaints Commission.
International courts, including the European Court of Human Rights, may hear cases involving damage, loss or injury similar to those to be submitted to the Complaints Commission.