At Nordic Right, we are committed to advocating for and upholding human rights across the Nordic Region and beyond. Today, we stand united in our condemnation of the deeply troubling allegations of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, as revealed in the latest report presented by independent experts appointed by the United Nations.
The findings presented by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine paint a grim picture of the situation in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Commission’s report, unveiled during a session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, unveils a disturbing pattern of attacks on civilian targets, explosive weapon use in residential areas, and heinous acts of violence, including torture and sexual and gender-based violence.
Commission Chair Erik Møse has shared harrowing details from their investigations, revealing that in the Kherson region, Russian soldiers allegedly perpetrated sexual violence and rape against women ranging from 19 to 83 years old. These acts were often carried out alongside threats or other violations, with family members forced to endure the horrific events in adjacent rooms.
The report also documents the “widespread and systematic” use of torture by Russian armed forces against individuals suspected of cooperating with the Ukrainian military, resulting in tragic fatalities. Victims of such torture have recounted their experiences, describing electric shocks and indefinite suffering.
Moreover, the Commission is actively investigating alleged transfers of unaccompanied children by Russian authorities to the Russian Federation, a matter of grave concern that remains a top priority for their work.
The Commission has also expressed alarm over allegations of genocide in Ukraine, cautioning that some rhetoric in Russian state and other media may amount to incitement to genocide. They have reaffirmed their commitment to investigating these disturbing claims further.
Despite the urgent need for accountability and justice, the Commission laments that all their communications directed at the Russian Federation have gone unanswered. This is a concerning lack of cooperation that hinders the pursuit of truth and justice.
In their report, the Commissioners have called upon Ukrainian authorities to expeditiously and thoroughly investigate any violations attributed to their own forces, underlining the importance of transparency and accountability on all sides.
We also wish to emphasize that there is no equivalence between the violations committed by both sides, as asserted by the independent rights investigators during their press conference in Geneva. The Commission’s findings indicate a wide spectrum of violations on the Russian side, whereas there have been relatively fewer instances on the Ukrainian side.
As the Commission continues its in-depth investigations into unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, violence against civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and attacks on energy infrastructure, Nordic Rights urges the international community to support their efforts and ensure that those responsible for these alleged war crimes are held accountable.
Nordic Rights remains steadfast in its commitment to the principles of human rights, justice, and accountability. We call upon the international community to unite in denouncing these heinous acts and demanding justice for the victims of these alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
