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"Russia must be held accountable for the suffering inflicted on Ukraine," said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, on Monday, 21 August, during her remote participation in the international conference organised by Ukraine A Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. Justice Must Be Served.

"Since the first days of Russia's full-scale war, Latvia has been actively working to hold Russia accountable for the violations of international law and serious crimes committed in Ukraine," stated the Deputy Speaker, stressing that the most important thing at this crucial moment is to defend democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law.

"Such conferences and exchanges of views are an essential part of determining the most appropriate path and coordinating action with a clear and united goal—to hold Russia accountable for its crimes", said Kalniņa-Lukaševica.

"During its Presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers, Latvia has been implementing the decisions taken at the Council of Europe Reykjavik Summit, and our priority, without doubt, is to provide unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as necessary", noted the Deputy Speaker.

Kalniņa-Lukaševica stressed that one of the main objectives of the Summit was to strongly support Ukraine, including agreeing on the need to establish a tribunal. Russia must take full responsibility for its crimes against Ukraine. The establishment of the Register of Damage under the auspices of the Council of Europe is also an important step.

Latvia supports the consolidation and development of the national responsibility mechanism in international law, in particular, the establishment of an ad hoc international tribunal to fill the gap in the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, said the Deputy Speaker.

Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica added that Latvia would be closely involved in this process, stressing that last week the President of Latvia had appointed Egils Levits, former President of Latvia and European Court of Justice Judge, as Latvia's Special Representative on International Law and National Responsibility.

The international conference is organised by the Ukrainian non-governmental organisation Tribunal and is dedicated to the establishment of an international tribunal. The conference is under the patronage of Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine. The conference brings together leading experts in international criminal law and human rights from around the world.

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Saeima Press Service