On Tuesday, 29 November, G7 member states agreed to form a network in order to coordinate the investigation of war crimes committed in Ukraine.
«Investigation of atrocities committed in Ukraine will last years, perhaps even decades. But we will be well-prepared and will continue [investigating] for as long as necessary,» said German Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann.
The meeting of G7 ministers of justice in Berlin was also attended by prosecutors from the International Criminal Court, German federal prosecutor and Ukrainian minister of justice.
The joint statement mentions that G7 countries will ensure every country has a central point for investigation of international crimes.
Buschmann told journalists this will ensure countries and international organisations are able to share information and evidence more effectively.
The minister added that testimony of victims of sexual violence have to be recorded in a way that will make it possible to submit testimony to court and so that victims have to testify only once.
Buschmann mentioned that the Tuesday’s meeting was the first such meeting in G7 history, adding that until now Germany has played the leading role in trials of perpetrators of war crimes committed in other countries.
In accordance with the principle of universal jurisdiction, Germany previously put on trial two former Syrian intelligence officers in the lawsuit on state-supported torture in Syria.
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