Maria Pejcinovic-Burich, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, called for accountability regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine and floated the idea of compiling a single, consolidated record of claims against Moscow. This initiative would function as a centralized repository to organize evidence, streamline potential prosecutions, and quantify damages in a way that can be referenced by international courts and tribunals. The suggestion was reported by the EU Observer, underscoring the transparency and efficiency a unified claims registry could bring to ongoing investigations.
The proposed registry would not simply collect statements. It would actively gather verifiable evidence, documentation, and testimonies from across the European landscape and beyond, aiming to create a robust evidentiary base. The publication noted that the secretary general emphasized the registry’s purpose: to support swift legal processes and accountability by presenting a clear, organized dossier that can be used in potential prosecutions and in seeking reparations from responsible parties.
Pejcinovic-Buric stressed that the Council of Europe possesses the appropriate legal tools and procedural agility to establish and operate such a register effectively. He argued that existing legal frameworks within the Council are capable of facilitating the rapid collection, verification, and submission of information, ensuring that future actions can be pursued with a strong, credible foundation in international law.
Importantly, the mechanism would be open to participation from a broad array of actors, including non member states, recognizing that accountability on this scale transcends membership. This inclusivity would enable partners outside the Council’s immediate orbit to contribute evidence and support, potentially strengthening the overall integrity and reach of the process while promoting universal standards of human rights and international law.
Looking ahead, the secretary general indicated that a formal policy proposal would be brought forward within the week, inviting deliberation among Council members and partner states. He also expressed a hope that a decision could accompany the European Council summit scheduled to take place in Reykjavik in May, signaling a clear political commitment to joint accountability and restorative justice in relation to the Ukraine conflict.
Historically, Russia was expelled from the Council of Europe in March following the onset of its military operation in Ukraine on February 24. This expulsion marked a significant escalation in the Council’s response to actions perceived as violations of European human rights standards and the rule of law, reinforcing the collective stance of European institutions in defense of Ukraine and the dignity of its people.
Earlier reporting indicated that the European Court of Human Rights had taken Or initiated important proceedings, including a unified complaint from the Netherlands concerning the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH-17 in eastern Ukraine, alongside Ukraine’s complaints about Russian Federation actions in the country. These cases illustrate the ongoing legal avenues pursued by states and citizens to seek accountability and redress through established European judicial mechanisms, even as political and diplomatic efforts continue in parallel to address the broader conflict.