Switzerland signs Convention establishing International Claims Commission for Ukraine

On Tuesday 16 December, Switzerland's representative in the Netherlands, Ambassador Corinne Cicéron Bühler, signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine at a diplomatic conference organised in the Hague. The commission will function as an independent body within the Council of Europe. The Federal Council had approved the signing of this Convention at its meeting on 12 December.

The International Commission will be responsible for deciding on the legitimacy of claims submitted by victims of Russia's military aggression in Ukraine since 24 February 2022. It is intended to supplement the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which has been registering such claims since 2 April 2024. The commission will be composed of independent and impartial commissioners, who will make decisions on the basis of international law, under the supervision of member states.

Switzerland joined the Register of Damage on 30 August 2023. On 14 November 2022, the UN General Assembly had adopted a resolution calling for the creation of an international compensation mechanism for the reparation of damage caused in Ukraine by Russia's illegal military aggression.

Under international law, the author of a wrongful act must make reparations for the consequences of the act. In attacking Ukraine, Russia committed a serious violation of international law, particularly the prohibition of the use of force and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. It is therefore required to pay reparations for the damage caused.

As a next step, Switzerland will examine whether to formally accede to and ratify the agreement.