The world watched in horror on February 24th as Russia invaded Ukraine, a sovereign democratic state. Yesterday was International Children’s Day, and I don’t know where to begin to explain the heartbreaking and gut-wrenching impact that Russia’s destructive invasion is having on our society’s most vulnerable members – children. The photographs on exhibit for the next two weeks at the Museum of Military History in Vienna – due to the Polish Chair – tell the tale better than any speech or statement, as does hearing the voices of Ukrainian children refugees across Europe.
Tomorrow marks a somber milestone: 100 days since the start of this heinous assault. Thousands of men, women, and children have been killed unnecessarily by Russia in the last 100 days. 100 days of Russian deception, denial, and disinformation, including attacks on housing blocks, schools, and hospitals. The number of Ukrainians who are dying, being hurt, being displaced, being deported, and seeking asylum is increasing, and Russia is hoping that the world will become tired of hearing about it. But, Mr. Chair, our valiant Ukrainian allies have united in their fight for peace and independence, and we remain united in our support. We’re not going to get tired. Today, I’d want to discuss accountability.
The UK has stated that it will support Ukraine’s investigations and prosecutions of conflict-related crimes, including the deployment of war crimes experts to the region and the release of additional cash to aid the International Criminal Court’s investigations. Last week, the UK, the US, and the EU announced the formation of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, a structure aimed at assisting the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine’s War Crimes Units by ensuring effective coordination of our separate accountability efforts. We are committed to holding those responsible for atrocities, including military leaders and other members of the Putin government, accountable.
Mr. Chairman, The OSCE has a clear and significant role to play in ensuring accountability. The 13 April Moscow Mechanism report detailed the human consequences of Russia’s operations, including deportations, sieges, targeted strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the impact on vulnerable populations. This was the first independent report issued by an international organization, and it laid forth the facts on the ground between February 24 and April 1. It verified our worries, pointing to evident patterns of Russian forces violating International Humanitarian Law and showing substantial evidence of war crimes. We must follow up on the experts’ findings, and we must acknowledge that Russia’s aggressiveness has not ceased since the last report was released. New charges of atrocities have surfaced in Bucha, Irprin, Borodyanka, the shelling of the Kramatorsk railway station, Mariupol, and the fresh attack in eastern Ukraine. We must continue to promote independent and unbiased fact-finding in order to bring those who are responsible to justice.
We must also continue to support the work of the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which monitors the impact of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law on civilians and prisoners of war. We are grateful to Director Mecacci and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (ODIHR) for their knowledge, impartiality, and objectivity in investigating and recording the violations. It is critical work to ensure that those who violate the law are held accountable. “Accountability is a cornerstone of protecting human rights,” the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights recently stated. We were heartbroken to learn that a French journalist was killed while covering the conflict near Severodonetsk, when the car in which he was traveling was hit by shrapnel from a Russian shell. We also condemn the assassination of journalists and media workers who have died in the process of exposing the truth about the ongoing war crimes.
Mr. Chair, the Russian Delegation may speak to us today. If we do, it will almost certainly be a repeat of a story we’ve heard before. Many attempts have been made to promote misleading narratives in order to excuse the unlawful and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. The basic truth is that Russia and its leadership are to blame for this heinous conflict, which violates UN Charter and OSCE values. They are the ones who are trying to deconstruct the OSCE’s presence in Ukraine. They are to blame for an increasing number of citizens dying, being hurt, being displaced, being deported, and seeking asylum. They are to blame for the rise in food insecurity. They are to blame for the heartbreaking savagery perpetrated against children. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, and friends are among those affected by this tragedy, and the United Kingdom stands with them all. We’re not going to get tired. For as long as it takes, we will make the Russian government pay for its acts and hold them accountable for their crimes.
