The UN’s top court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has issued a ruling finding Russia guilty of violating international treaties in Ukraine. The ICJ stated that Russia breached two treaties, one concerning the fight against terrorism and the other on the elimination of racial discrimination. However, the court rejected other claims made by Ukraine and refused to order the compensation requested by Kyiv.
The case brought before the ICJ pertains to the conflict that began in Ukraine in 2014. Specifically, the court found Russia in violation of the 1999 International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism by failing to investigate individuals who were allegedly funding pro-Russian separatist groups in eastern Ukraine. The judges have now ordered Russia to investigate credible allegations of terrorism funding in Ukraine under the treaty.
Additionally, the ICJ ruled that limiting school classes in the Ukrainian language in Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, constituted a violation of the 1969 International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The court, however, dismissed other complaints made by Ukraine, including allegations that Russia was attempting to erase the culture of the ethnic Tatar minority in Crimea.
It is worth noting that the ICJ did not address specific accusations pertaining to Russia’s alleged funding of fighters involved in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The passenger jet was shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, resulting in the death of all 298 individuals on board. A separate ruling in 2022, issued by a Dutch court, found that a Russian-controlled group was responsible for downing the plane.
The ICJ’s rulings are legally binding but cannot be enforced by the court itself. Notably, this is not the only case being considered by the ICJ. This week, the court is set to issue another ruling on a case brought by Ukraine accusing Russia of wrongly invoking the 1948 Genocide Convention to justify its full-scale invasion in 2022.
While the ICJ’s decisions represent a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, there is no mechanism in place for the court to enforce its rulings. The Ukrainian legal team has welcomed the ICJ’s findings, emphasizing the importance of holding Russia accountable for its violations of international law.
In summary, the ICJ has found Russia responsible for violating international treaties in Ukraine, specifically concerning terrorism and racial discrimination. The court has ordered Russia to investigate allegations of terrorism funding and has recognized limitations on school classes in the Ukrainian language in Crimea as a violation of international norms. However, the ICJ did not rule on allegations of Russian involvement in the downing of the MH17 flight. The court’s decisions are binding, but enforcement mechanisms are not in place.
