43 countries and the EU condemned Russia under the Genocide Convention

The European Union and 43 countries issued a statement in support of Ukraine's intention to condemn Russia under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

This is reported by European Pravda with reference to the text of the statement.

"We reiterate our support for Ukraine's application to initiate proceedings against the Russian Federation before the International Court of Justice under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, seeking to establish that Russia has no legitimate grounds for taking military action in Ukraine based on unfounded accusations of genocide," the text of the statement reads.

The signatory states called on Russia to immediately suspend its military operations in Ukraine, as ordered by the International Court of Justice in its March 16, 2022, interim measures order.

The states took note of the July 1, 2022 statement announcing that Ukraine had filed its memorandum with the Court.

"We once again welcome Ukraine's efforts to ensure compliance with international law and the Court's primary function in facilitating the peaceful resolution of disputes," the statement said.

The signatories stressed that it is in the interest of all states parties to the genocide convention and the international community as a whole that the convention not be abused.

"That is why the signatories to this declaration, who are parties to the genocide convention, intend to intervene in this process. In light of the serious questions that arise in this case, and given the far-reaching consequences of the decision that the Court will render, it is important that States Parties to this convention be able to share with the International Court of Justice their interpretation of certain substantive provisions thereof," the text of the declaration reads.

Author - Olena Madiak, 13/07/2022