Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) welcomes and echos the decision on May 25, 2019 of the U.N. maritime tribunal that Russia must release three Ukrainian naval vessels captured by Russia in November 2018 and release 24 detained sailors.
The Hamburg-based International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea delivered its ruling on the case Ukraine brought against Russia. The attack by Russia in the Kerch Strait, which links the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea, marked a flashpoint in Russia’s continuing military conflict against Ukraine, including the 2014 illegal annexation of the Crimean Peninsula. Tribunal president Jin-Hyun Paik said that judges decided Russia must “immediately” return the three ships to Ukraine’s custody, and release the sailors and allow them to return to Ukraine.
UWC calls upon the international community to increase sanctions against Russia in response to its continued and escalating violations of international law.
“Russian vessels should be barred entry into all ports worldwide until Russia complies with this order,” stated UWC President Paul Grod. “This is yet one more example of Russia’s continuing violation of international law and human rights violations.”
The Press Release of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the ruling can be read HERE.
