Thread by @Kristina__Hook

My take for @AtlanticCouncil: Any #Russians committing crimes in #Ukraine should consider themselves formally on notice.

"The ICC’s arrest warrant for #Putin is a seismic moment for international law & judicial accountability."
Putin is now on a very short, infamous list. 🧵

https://twitter.com/AtlanticCouncil/status/1637085243428466688

As I explain, "the ICC’s historic announcement indicates an increased scope," not just prosecuting #Putin for crime of aggression in special tribunals, but "reasonable grounds that Putin himself bears individual criminal responsibility" for war crimes. 2/

https://twitter.com/Kristina__Hook/status/1636753467200147456

Warrant for Putin = accountability & legal courage. AND:
"The arrest warrant for Lvova-Belova, #Russia’s so-named commissioner for children’s rights, is no less significant." The ICC signals that lower level officials also bear criminal responsibility. 3/

#UkraineRussianWar

At 38 years old, Lvova-Belova will have a lifetime of consequences ahead of her.

Others participants in #Russia's war crimes should consider this carefully. Note the ICC explicitly made these arrest warrants public for a deterring effect. 4/

#UkraineRussianWar #Ukraine️

I told @AtlanticCouncil: "The internt'l community should now support internt'l law by sanctioning a wider range of actors...making it clear to them + families that opportunities for vacation, work, & education are closed for any involved in war crimes against #Ukrainians." 5/

ICC news should raise pointed questions to international companies who remain in #Russia, paying $$ support thru taxes to an internt'l fugitive wanted on war crimes against vulnerable #Ukrainian children.

Same ?s to those nations + entities that help Russia skirt sanctions. 6/

With ICC lacking an enforcement mechanism against #Russia, a temptation to view this as purely symbolic is understandable but incorrect.

Historical precedent of Slobodan Milošević demonstrates this. 7/

#UkraineRussianWar #Ukraine️ #Russia

Also, the #ICC charges will be the first of many, w/ # of crimes & names expected to rise.

A decision-making crossroad for global leaders who choose to meet w/ Putin (watching Xi's announced visit closely) & who have ignored #Russia's massive atrocities against #Ukraine. 8/

Much more advocacy for #Ukraine's kids needed. No one can turn a blind eye.

As I told @AtlanticCouncil: this "highlights #Russia’s premeditated & extreme cruelty thru the mass trafficking of children, most of whom still languish away from their homes & loved ones in Russia." 9/

Finally: ICC charges = direct violations of UN Genocide Convention.

I told @AtlanticCouncil: "No nation or institution has ever fundamentally contested this legal definition or its mandate. The full gravity of 🇷🇺 atrocities in 🇺🇦 will continue to move thru the legal system" 10/

Many other important points from fellow @AtlanticCouncil experts, as we reflect on the ramifications from this historic day in international law. ⤵️

Every victim deserves justice. This is only the beginning. 11/11

#UkraineRussianWar #Ukraine️ #Russia

https://twitter.com/AtlanticCouncil/status/1637085243428466688