Ukraine will defend its position in ICJ trial on violation by Russia of two conventions – foreign ministry
"On August 9, 2021, the Russian Federation filed a Counter-Memorial to the UN International Court of Justice in a case initiated by Ukraine. In its Memorial submitted on June 12, 2018, Ukraine claims that Russia has committed systematic violations of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination," the statement reads.
In November 2019, the International Court of Justice ruled to reject all preliminary objections raised by Russia with respect to the lack of the Court's jurisdiction over the claims brought by Ukraine and confirmed the hearing of Ukraine's claims on the merits.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Russia had become the first state in the ICJ's history, which is obliged to provide explanations on the merits of the claims raised with respect to violations of the two abovementioned conventions.
Regarding the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, Russia should be held accountable for failing to investigate and not obstructing the supply of money and weapons to illegal armed groups in eastern Ukraine involved in committing terrorist attacks, including the downing of Flight MH17, shelling attacks against civilians in Volnovakha, Kramatorsk, Mariupol and Avdiivka, and a series of explosions during mass peaceful rallies in Kharkiv and other cities.
As for the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Russia should be held accountable for conducting a campaign of discrimination and cultural erasure directed against the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian communities since the occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. In addition, Russia must answer why it did not comply with provisional measures awarded by the Court more than four years ago, including the requirement to remove obstacles to the activities of the Mejlis on the peninsula.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said it had no doubt that all the answers and arguments stated by Russia in its Counter-Memorial will be recognized by the court as unfounded.
"In the future, the court will determine whether there is a need to submit additional written documents and procedural deadlines will be set for the next steps," the statement said.
On January 16, 2017, Ukraine filed a lawsuit against Russia with the International Court of Justice for violations of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Financing of Terrorism and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.
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