As it continues its work, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Committed by Russia in Ukraine is finding more and more evidence of widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian law and human rights by the Russian authorities. This was stated by Natalia Mudrenko, Counsellor of the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, at a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, presenting the new report.
‘The latest report of the commission once again unequivocally confirms that Russian troops are committing heinous war crimes, including premeditated murder, brutal torture, sexual and gender-based violence, as well as inhuman treatment of prisoners in Russian captivity,’ Mudrenko said.
She added that the document also contains evidence of deliberate killings of prisoners of war and civilians by the Russian occupation forces.
The report also reveals the facts of the systematic use of torture by the Russian authorities against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. According to Mudrenko, this is evidence of a coordinated policy sanctioned by senior Russian officials.
Mudrenko drew special attention to the paragraph in the report that exposes Russia’s so-called ‘denazification’ policy in Ukraine. She emphasised that this policy is disseminated through special brochures that are handed out to Russian soldiers before they are sent to Ukraine, with the following message: ‘Someday, after denazification, they will become Russians again, but for now they are enemies.’
According to the diplomat, such rhetoric is a reflection of imperialist chauvinism and contains elements of Nazi ideology.
Mudrenko stressed that the commission’s work to document and establish the facts of human rights and international humanitarian law violations committed by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine is a key step to ensure accountability not only for Russia but also for all those involved in these crimes.
