Congresswoman Jacobs and Congresswoman Spartz Introduce Legislation to Allow the United States to Provide Material Support and Funding to ICC Investigation Into Russian War Crimes
Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53) and Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-IN-05) have introduced the Investigate Russian War Crimes Act, bipartisan legislation to allow the United States to provide material support or funding to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their investigation of Russian war crimes and atrocities in Ukraine. Currently, U.S. law forbids any federal funds from being directed to the ICC. Bill text available here.
Last month, the ICC announced that it would become a participant in investigations into alleged core international crimes committed in Ukraine. During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in April, Secretary Blinken told Congresswoman Jacobs that the Biden Administration supported the ICC investigation in Ukraine.
“Russia’s conduct in Ukraine has been appalling and demands a full international war crimes investigation,“ said Congresswoman Jacobs. “I am proud to introduce this legislation that will strengthen the international community’s ability to hold Putin accountable, help the United States work collaboratively with the ICC, and boost our global leadership.”
“The loss of life and atrocities I have seen in Ukraine are heartbreaking and tragic,” said Congresswoman Spartz. “These purported war crimes are inhumane and cannot be ignored by the international community for justice to be served.”
In April, Jacobs introduced The Support International Criminal Investigations for Ukraine Act, which repeals the existing ban on the United States providing funding to the ICC, encourages the United States to pursue a policy of constructive engagement with the ICC, and also encourages the United States to take steps required to become a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
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