World leaders have responded to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with sanctions and outrage. At the UN Security Council, however, Russia is able to halt any meaningful dialogue or action, and any potential for war crimes prosecution.

The UN Security Council, tasked with the lead role in maintaining global peace, was set up with each of its five permanent members - France, the U.K., the USA, China and Russia - holding veto power.

Any one of these nations can block resolutions, and they regularly do. The people of Syria have never seen justice because of veto power being used to block the establishment of an international tribunal into war crimes in Syria. 

Even as lawyers and the International Criminal Court (ICC) collect evidence of war crimes being perpetrated in Ukraine, including attacks on an orphanage and a kindergarten, RUSSIA CAN ALWAYS BLOCK A CASE BEING ACTIVELY HEARD AT THE ICC BY USING THEIR VETO POWER.

This veto power has long been recognized as an issue by other nations, international lawyers and justice advocates.

We urge Secretary-General Guterres to introduce discussion into the General Assembly, and establish a clear pathway to enabling this grossly unfair and obstructive barrier to true global peace and justice to be removed. 

Once enough voices have been raised, this petition will be sent to the United Nations in New York City. The people of Syria, and now the people of Ukraine, among many others, deserve at least this. 

THANK YOU