[JURIST] Ukraine filed suit [press release, PDF] against Russia in the International Court of Justice [official website] on Monday for alleged acts of terrorism and discrimination. The case has been filed for violations under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism [text] and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination [official website]. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Pavlo Klimkin [official profile] said: [press release]

As part of its unlawful aggression in Ukraine, the Russian Federation has displayed contempt for the basic human rights of the people of Ukraine. … We have tried to resolve the disputes through negotiation as required by Conventions for more than two years, but the Russian Federation has been unwilling to cease its violations of international law. Therefore, we have filed our case to hold the Russian Federation accountable for these violations and to vindicate the fundamental rights of the Ukrainian people under these treaties, to which the Russian Federation is a signatory.

Russia has repeatedly denied sending troops or military equipment. Russia’s foreign ministry stated [Reuters report] that it would use all available means of legal defense against the suit. The filing itself has no direct consequences for Russia, but other countries could enact penalties against the country if it were found in violation of these accusations.

Russia and Ukraine have been in conflict since the annexation of Crimea [JURIST backgrounder] in March 2014. In December the Amsterdam District Court ruled [JURIST report] that Crimean gold artifacts are to be returned to Ukraine and not Crimea. The artifacts, including gems, helmets and scabbards, were on loan to Amsterdam’s Allard Pierson Museum when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014. A UN report [JURIST report] in December stated that failure by parties in eastern Ukraine to implement the Minsk Agreements has led to numerous human rights violations against Ukrainian civilians.