PACE President Tiny Kox has hailed the creation of an international Register of Damage for Ukraine as “a first practical step” towards obtaining reparation for the damage caused to the Ukrainian people by Russia’s war of aggression – and urged that it record also loss or damage caused by private military groups controlled by Russia, such as the Wagner and Kadyrov groups.
Speaking by video-link to the first conference of participants of the Register of Damage, taking place in Strasbourg, the President said the Register – which will record evidence and claims for damage, loss or injury in Ukraine caused by the war – would help to bring justice to “victims, survivors, to the families of those who did not survive, and to the state of Ukraine”.
“Our Assembly stressed that justice and comprehensive accountability for the aggression and its consequences cannot be achieved without full reparation for the damage caused to Ukraine and its citizens,” he said.
The President said he was proud that the Assembly was the first Council of Europe body to call for the creation of such a Register, following proposals submitted by the Ukrainian authorities, and thanked the Secretary General and the Committee of Ministers for their “hard and relentless work” to bring it about.
The Assembly also suggested, at a later stage, the creation of an international compensation commission to review and adjudicate on claims documented by the Register, as well as the creation of a compensation fund.
The Assembly was determined to deliver justice to Ukrainians and accountability for Russia’s multiple violations of international law, the President concluded, adding: “I wish to assure you that our Assembly will not rest, but will keep following this matter.”
Some 45 states and the EU have so far joined or indicated their intention to join the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register.
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