Ukraine at the UN court: Russia has turned the Genocide Convention on its head
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In the name of the terrible lie that Ukraine is allegedly committing genocide against its people, the Russian Federation is waging war against Ukraine.
This was said by Anton Korynevych, Ambassador-at-Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his speech at the UN International Court of Justice.
"Russia is at war with my country in the name of a terrible lie that Ukraine is committing genocide against its own people. This lie is Russia's pretext for aggression and conquest. Russia has presented no credible evidence. It cannot. The international community adopted the Convention on Genocide for the purpose of protection. Russia refers to the Convention on Genocide for the purpose of destruction," he emphasized.
Korynevych also emphasized that Russia does not respect international law.
"For Russia, international law is not a limitation. For Russia, international law does not exist to ensure respect for sovereignty and human rights. For Russia, international law is a tool for abuse," said Korynevich.
He also emphasized that, unlike Russia, Ukraine respects international law.
"Ukraine believes in resolving disputes by peaceful means. That is why, at the moment of greatest threat, Ukraine turned to this court. The court has broad jurisdiction over disputes related to the Genocide Convention. The relationship between this dispute and the Genocide Convention is direct. Russia accused Ukraine of genocide. It launched a full-scale invasion to end genocide. In other words, Russia abused and violated the Genocide Convention by using allegations of genocide as a pretext for a full-scale invasion. But Russia does not exist outside the law. It must be held accountable," said Korynevych.
Reference
As reported, the public hearings of the preliminary objections raised by Russia in the case regarding accusations of genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide began at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Ukraine was supported by 32 countries that joined this case with their interventions. They will also have a say in court.
The court will hold a hearing on jurisdiction, and if the court finds that it has jurisdiction and that the claim is admissible in whole or in part, then the next step is to hear the case on its merits.
Hearings will be held in two rounds:
- Russia had and will have a say on September 18 and 25,
- Ukraine will present its case on September 19 and 27.
Also, on September 20, 32 states will have their say in court.
The dispute concerns the interpretation, application, and enforcement of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. In a lawsuit against the Russian Federation at the UN International Court of Justice, Ukraine demands that the aggressor be brought to justice for distorting the concept of genocide.
On February 26, 2022, Ukraine submitted to the secretariat of the International Court of Justice in The Hague an application to initiate a case against Russia regarding the "the interpretation, application, and implementation of the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide."
Since October 2022, the Russian Federation has raised preliminary objections to the Court's jurisdiction and the admissibility of Ukraine's application.
On March 16, 2022, the UN International Court of Justice ordered the Russian Federation to immediately stop its invasion of Ukraine.
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