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25 States Back Tribunal Pact Ahead of Council of Europe Signing

The broader backing is meant to bolster legitimacy for an ad hoc court based in The Hague.

Overview

  • Ukraine said Liechtenstein will join the Special Tribunal pact, raising the number of participating countries to 25.
  • The Council of Europe plans to sign a “partial expanded agreement” in Chisinau in mid-May, a treaty tool that completes the tribunal’s legal setup.
  • Officials said the Netherlands has chosen a building in The Hague for the court and will unveil the location at the ministerial meeting.
  • A first “Skeleton Tribunal” phase will form a steering committee to recruit judges, prosecutors, and investigators, with selection expected to start by the end of 2026.
  • Investigative work is not expected to begin before late 2027 or 2028, though prior case-building at a Netherlands-based center could shorten new probes.