HOUSE RESOLUTION SUPPORTS ICC ARREST WARRANT FOR PUTIN & LVOVA-BELOVA
Today, Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL), Bill Keating (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) introduced a House resolution commending the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) issuance of an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. The warrants are for two war crimes related to the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.
This resolution denounces Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine; condemns the ongoing, unlawful, and systematic deportation, forcible transfer, and “re-education” of children, and recognizes the devastating trauma caused to Ukrainians as a result of Russia’s actions. The resolution also supports the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova and calls on President Biden to direct all departments and agencies within the US government to support the ICC’s investigation and prosecution of atrocity crimes committed in Ukraine.
“War criminals, no matter how powerful, must be held accountable for their crimes,” said Congressman Quigley. “The atrocities that Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova are committing have more than met the standard for issuing arrest warrants. These warrants are an important step towards ending the crimes against Ukraine, and showing the world’s despots that crimes against humanity will not go unpunished. I support the International Criminal Court’s decision and hope that ultimately, justice will be served. In the meantime, we must continue to aid Ukraine until they win.”
“As Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine continues, the international community must ensure Russian war criminals at all levels are held accountable for their horrific crimes against the Ukrainian people,” said Congressman Keating. “I strongly support the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova. These two criminals are targeting the most vulnerable victims of war - children. The families impacted by these horrific crimes deserve justice and the international community demands it.”
“Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova have made it clear that they will go to any length to devastate innocent Ukrainian families and destroy Ukraine’s cultural heritage – even if that means committing the heinous war crime of deporting Ukrainian children,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I fully support the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for these immoral thugs and urge President Biden to take supportive action here at home. Putin and Lvova-Belova must be held accountable for their atrocious crimes against Ukraine and against humanity.”
“The global community must use every tool at its disposal to call out Vladimir Putin for his criminal war in Ukraine,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “The arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court are an important step toward holding the leaders of this war of aggression on innocent Ukrainian’s accountable for their war crimes and crimes against humanity. This historic act will help ensure that Liberty and justice may prevail for Ukraine and her people.”