News item | 26-05-2023 | 19:58
On Friday 26 May, more than 70 countries reached agreement after two weeks of negotiations in Ljubljana (Slovenia) on the text for a new international treaty on legal assistance and extradition for international crimes (MVRUIM). The treaty contains specific agreements on cooperation in the investigation, prosecution, trial and punishment of, in particular, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. This treaty facilitates cooperation between countries in these very serious crimes, so that impunity is tackled.
The Netherlands co-organized the conference in Ljubljana with Argentina, Belgium, Mongolia, Senegal and Slovenia. The Netherlands will also organize the signing of the treaty. This will take place in the first half of 2024 in the Peace Palace in The Hague. For this reason, the convention will bear the name of the cities of Ljubljana and The Hague: “The Ljubljana – The Hague Convention on International Cooperation in the Investigation and Prosecution of Genocide, Crimes against Humanity, War Crimes and other International Crimes” (in short “The Ljubljana The Hague MLA Convention”).
Civil servants from the Ministries of Justice & Security and Foreign Affairs have been working on the preparation of this treaty for more than 10 years. Minister Yesilgöz-Zegerius of Justice and Security is delighted that this treaty has been achieved:
“The treaty is very important in strengthening efforts to ensure accountability, combat impunity for the most serious international crimes and achieve reparation for victims. It is a historic breakthrough, especially now that in just two weeks an agreement has been reached between countries from all corners of the world, with different legal systems, different jurisdictions for these crimes and differences in their national laws. The convention will greatly assist the implementation practice in tackling these crimes.”
The treaty facilitates cooperation because it provides the necessary legal basis for criminal law cooperation where this is currently not always the case, for example with countries outside the EU where international crimes have been committed. In addition, numerous practical and modern possibilities for cooperation have been included that will improve implementation practice and effective cooperation ease. For example, the treaty contains articles about “Joint Investigation Teams”, victims, restitution and confiscation, information exchange, privacy, video conferencing and various investigative techniques.
After signing, the countries will have to ratify the treaty. At least 3 ratifications are necessary for entry into force. Belgium will act as depositary of the treaty and the Netherlands will fulfill the interim secretariat function.