State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Eduard Serbenco has signed the Ljubljana-Haga Convention on international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other international crimes. Moldova is thus among the first signatories “of this important instrument”, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Justice. The ceremony took place at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The document aims to strengthen international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other international crimes. It will serve as an instrument between the signatory parties for the conduct of joint investigations, the collection and sharing of evidence, extradition of convicted persons and mutual legal assistance.

“The convention also places particular emphasis on the rights of victims of such crimes,” the Chisinau authorities note.

The Ljubljana-Haga Convention is the first major treaty in the field of international criminal law since the adoption of the Rome Statute in 1998, which established the International Criminal Court. Once signed, the document is to be ratified by Parliament.

“Thus, after the signing of the Convention and its ratification by the Parliament, the Republic of Moldova will have a single modern and unified legal instrument at the basis of international cooperation in criminal matters, which will facilitate the request and granting of international legal assistance,” reads a press release issued by the Parliament after the approval of the report for the advisory opinion by the Committee on Foreign Policy and European Integration.

The Convention has been open for signature since 14 February 2024.

The draft Convention was adopted in May 2023. Delegations from 68 countries participated in the drafting of the document, and negotiations for its drafting began in 2011 at the initiative of Argentina, Belgium, Mongolia, the Netherlands, Senegal and Slovenia. The convention has been signed by 35 countries and is open for signature by the other countries for a year.