The Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (RD4U) has formally opened for claims submission.
This took place at the “Restoring Justice for Ukraine” ministerial conference in The Hague.
The event is co-organized by Ukraine, the Netherlands, and the European Commission.
Among the participants are the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, President of Eurojust, representatives from the International Register of Damages Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine (RD4U), and the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA).
Ministers and officials from dozens of countries were also present.
With the register’s opening, Ukrainians can begin filing claims for damages they have suffered in Russia’s invasion.
The register will initially focus on damage to residential property but should be expanded to include also other kinds of material and other damage.
The Dutch government said in a statement, “The Netherlands believes it is of vital importance that truth and justice be achieved both for Ukraine and for all victims of Russia’s aggression.”
“This is the first material step that is being made,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba told reporters during the conference, adding that claims could be filed by anyone from Tuesday, April 2, 2024.
“It is no less important to establish an international compensation mechanism in full and confiscate frozen Russian assets,” he told the conference.
“It’s extremely important that we met here today, not just to discuss how we will be bringing Russia to account but also launching a very specific procedure that every Ukrainian who has suffered can benefit from,” he added.
The Register of Damage for Ukraine has been established under the umbrella of the Council of Europe and has 44 members, most European Union members and also Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Its establishment was recommended by a U.N. General Assembly resolution last year calling for Russia to be held accountable for its invasion and recognising Russia is responsible for reparations in Ukraine.
Ukraine Needs Justice Now
Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba called for justice for his country in his speech at the conference in The Hague.
Kuleba made this disclosure in a post on X, saying, “In my speech at the opening of the ‘Restoring Justice for Ukraine’ conference of 57 countries in The Hague, I emphasized that Ukrainians need justice right now. Not in a distant future.”
Ukrainians don’t want to hear that justice will be served. They want to see it served already. Not only on the battlefield, but in the courtrooms and real decisions as well. And they have a right to demand this,” Kuleba said.
He added that in this context, Ukraine does already have tangible results on four accountability tracks.
The Register of Damage is now operational, allowing Ukrainians to request compensation for damage or destruction of residential property, and its scope will further expand.
The International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine (ICPA) has been established, and its prosecutors are currently investigating and preparing indictments for this crime.
The International Criminal Court has already issued first four arrest warrants, including for Russian dictator Putin, and more of them are anticipated.
First decisions to use frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s benefit have already been made, and this work must achieve more results this year.
Nonetheless, Kuleba said that more work must be done.
“The first steps show that justice for Russian aggression and subsequent atrocities is unavoidable,” he said.
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