The Russian-Ukraine Conflict: Investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity
GHRTV Author
25-08-2022
Beatrice Serra
International Justice and Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
August 24th marked six months since the unlawful Russia invasion in Ukraine, which is now the stage of the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since WWII. As in every conflict, the civilian population is the most affected and in need of protection: since its beginning, the Russia-Ukraine war has caused 13,560 civilian casualties, with 5,614 deaths, including 362 children, and 7,946 people injured. Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, recalled that “each of these figures is a human being, whose life or health has been lost or damaged”, calling the international community to increase efforts to alleviate civilian suffering, and provide assistance and protection. (UN News, 2022a)
According to UN investigators, numerous acts of violence amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed over months by Russian forces. Recently, Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR spokesperson raised concern over some released pictures showing metal cages being built in Mariupol's philharmonic hall to restrain prisoners of war (PoWs) in preparation of an upcoming “show trial”. Such an unacceptable and humiliating process could amount to a war crime. This is not an isolated case, since other atrocities have been reported, including attacks on health care and schools, arbitrary killing of civilians, destruction and looting of property, rape and sexual abuse. Jasminka Dzumhur, member of the UN Commission of Inquiry, raised concern about the alleged transferring of children placed in institutions to the Russian occupied territories, as well as the rapidity of processes of adoption and citizenship of these children. Investigations on such acts must be carried on providing accountability for victims. (Schlein, 2022; UN News, 2022b)
Sources and Further Readings:
- L. Schlein (June 15, 2022), UN Inquiry Finds Possible Evidence of War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity in Ukraine, VOA News, retrieved on August 25th, 2022, from https://www.voanews.com/a/un-inquiry-finds-possible-evidence-of-war-crimes-crimes-against-humanity-in-ukraine-/6618531.html.
United Nations (August 24, 2022a), Ukraine: UN agencies deliver food, health and other support amid fighting, UN News, retrieved on August 25th, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1125392.
United Nations (August 23, 2022b), Ukraine prisoner of war trials in Mariupol could be a war crime: OHCHR, retrieved on August 25th, 2022, from https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/08/1125222.
