There is growing evidence that those individuals who ordered the Russian invasion of Ukraine and are conducting Russian operations in the country have committed crimes against humanity and war crimes. These individuals must be brought to justice through the convening of a Special Tribunal established specifically for this purpose without further delay.
This is according to leading international humanitarian law consultancy Pavocat. Over the last 12 months Pavocat has continually advocated the need for this Special Tribunal following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the emergence of overwhelming evidence of war crimes and atrocities committed by Russian forces against the Ukrainian people.
Professor Lee Marler, Co-Founder and Director at Pavocat said, “We have consistently advocated for the past year the need for a Special Tribunal to hold to account both those who ordered the invasion of Ukraine, and those who have committed war crimes, because justice must be served for the people of Ukraine.”
Pavocat has welcomed US Vice President Kamala Harris’s announcement that the US has formally determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine since its invasion on 24 February 2022.
Prof. Lee Marler said, “We fully support the comments made by Vice President Kamala Harris at the Munich Security Conference that the US has formally determined that Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine.”
During her speech at the Munich Security Conference, US Vice President Kamala Harris accused Russia of “gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape and deportation” since its invasion of Ukraine, while world leaders at the conference reiterated their calls for long term support for the nation.
Professor Marler continued, “There can be no more delay in investigating war crimes in Ukraine and bringing those responsible to justice. Atrocities committed in the theatre of war including murder, torture, mutilation and rape cannot and should not be tolerated and the Special Tribunal that we have advocated must be established urgently.”
The United Nations defines war crimes as “those violations of international humanitarian law (treaty or customary law) that incur individual criminal responsibility under international law.” This includes the 1949 Geneva Convention, which has been ratified by all United Nations member states.
Professor Lee Marler said, “The definition of War Crimes is quite clear, and those activities that constitute such crimes are clear. Pavocat stands ready to assist with handling the issues relating to war crimes in Ukraine and crimes against humanity.”