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The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has proclaimed instances of attacks on Ukrainian civilians, specifically the war crimes of Russian armed forces. Explosive weaponry, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on energy infrastructure are a few of the aforementioned war crimes that Russia has been involved in.
The Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 25th was met with a presentation by the Commission explaining documentation of explosive weapons attacks on residential buildings, a medical facility, a railway station, a restaurant, shops and commercial warehouses. Many civilian lives were lost, in addition to the destruction of necessary infrastructure and the disruption of essential goods and services. Medical facilities and the lives of civilians have protected status by the Commission's standards.
Investigations in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia indicate the use of torture- with some instances leading to death- by Russian armed forces against those accused of being informants to Ukraine. The Kherson region attacks entailed the rape and sexual violence of women ages 19-83 years by Russian soldiers, with family members of the victims being forcefully subjected to witnessing these heinous acts.
The Commission is still investigating the violation of children's rights by Russian forces. Allegedly, unaccompanied minors are being transferred by Russian authorities to the Russian Federation. There have also been allegations of genocide in Ukraine, with evidence of rhetoric, propaganda, and media being considered an incitement of genocidal action by the Russian state towards Ukraine.
The Commission is deeply concerned at the frequency, degree, and quantity of these attacks on Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces and emphasizes the need to hold Russia accountable. It also urges the Ukrainian authorities to investigate any atrocities committed by its own forces.
3/10/2023
