Canada joins Register of Damage for Ukraine
News release
May 17, 2023 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
Canada is working alongside its international partners to hold Russia to account as it continues to attack Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the rules-based international order.
Today, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that Canada is joining the Council of Europe’s (COE’s) Register of Damage Caused by the Aggression of the Russian Federation Against Ukraine as a founding associate member. The Register is a legal mechanism that will serve as an important first step toward ensuring justice for Ukraine, including compensation for the considerable damage it has sustained as a result of Russia’s aggression.
Canada joined the Register today at the Summit of the Council of Europe, in Reykjavik, Iceland, where Canada was represented by Stéphane Dion, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe.
The Register will serve to record evidence and claims regarding damage, loss or injury caused by Russia’s illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as to promote and coordinate evidence gathering. This repository of evidence will help support the establishment of a compensation mechanism at a later stage that will enable the people of Ukraine to rebuild their country and their lives.
Quotes
“Russia’s ongoing indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure continue to cause immense human suffering and loss of life. While we cannot reverse the harm and pain experienced by the Ukrainian people, we can and we must do whatever it takes to secure justice for them.”
- Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs
Quick facts
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Established in 1949, the COE is an intergovernmental organization that brings together 46 member states, including all 27 members of the EU. Its objective is to promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe and beyond.
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Canada obtained the status of COE observer state in 1996. However, the Government of Canada and Canadian parliamentarians have participated in COE activities for more than 50 years.
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Since 2019, Canada has been a full and active member of the Venice Commission, a COE constitutional advisory body that provides the COE with legal advice on democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
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On November 14, 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution, co-led by Canada, Guatemala and the Netherlands, recommending the creation of a register of damage caused by Russia’s aggression.
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Since Russia’s illegal occupation and attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014, Canada has imposed sanctions on more than 2,400 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. Many of these sanctions have been undertaken in coordination with Canada’s allies and partners.
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Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $8 billion in funding for financial, military, humanitarian, development and immigration assistance to Ukraine.
Associated links
Contacts
Adrien Blanchard
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Adrien.Blanchard@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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