Situation referred to the ICC by 43 States Parties: March - April 2022
ICC investigations opened: 2 March 2022
Focus: Alleged crimes committed in the context of situation in Ukraine since 21 November 2013
Current regional focus: Ukraine
DOCUMENTS
Jurisdiction in the general situation
Ukraine is not a State Party to the Rome Statute, but it has twice exercised its prerogatives to accept the Court's jurisdiction over alleged crimes under the Rome Statute occurring on its territory, pursuant to article 12(3) of the Statute. The first declaration lodged by the Government of Ukraine accepted ICC jurisdiction with respect to alleged crimes committed on Ukrainian territory from 21 November 2013 to 22 February 2014. The second declaration extended this time period on an open-ended basis to encompass ongoing alleged crimes committed throughout the territory of Ukraine from 20 February 2014 onwards.
On 28 February 2022, the ICC Prosecutor announced he would seek authorisation to open an investigation into the Situation in Ukraine, on the basis of the Office's earlier conclusions arising from its preliminary examination, and encompassing any new alleged crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the Court.
On 1 March 2022, the Office received a State Party referral from the Republic of Lithuania. On 2 March 2022, the following coordinated group of States Parties submitted a joint referral: Republic of Albania, Commonwealth of Australia, Republic of Austria, Kingdom of Belgium, Republic of Bulgaria, Canada, Republic of Colombia, Republic of Costa Rica, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Kingdom of Denmark, Republic of Estonia, Republic of Finland, Republic of France, Georgia, Federal Republic of Germany, Hellenic Republic, Hungary, Republic of Iceland, Ireland, Republic of Italy, Republic of Latvia, Principality of Liechtenstein, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Republic of Malta, New Zealand, Kingdom of Norway, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Poland, Republic of Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Republic of Slovenia, Kingdom of Spain, Kingdom of Sweden, Swiss Confederation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
On 2 March 2022, the Prosecutor announced he had proceeded to open an investigation into the Situation in Ukraine on the basis of the referrals received. In accordance with the overall jurisdictional parameters conferred through these referrals, and without prejudice to the focus of the investigation, the scope of the situation encompasses any past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed on any part of the territory of Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards.
On 11 March 2022, the Prosecutor confirmed that two additional States, Japan and North Macedonia, have referred the Situation in Ukraine to the Office. On 21 March 2022, Montenegro further informed the Office of it's decision to join the group State Party referral, and on 1 April 2022, the Republic of Chile joined the group State Party referral of the situation.
The Office of the Prosecutor has established a dedicated portal through which any person that may hold information relevant to the Ukraine situation can contact ICC investigators.