The UN creates a commission to investigate Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine

MADRID, March 31 (Royals Blue) –

The president of the UN Human Rights Council, Federico Villegas, announced on Wednesday the creation of a commission to investigate war crimes and other abuses committed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Specifically, the commission must “collect, summarize and analyze evidence of violations and abuses, including gender, and systematically record and store all information, documentation and evidence, including interviews, witness testimony and forensic evidence, in accordance with international standards.” of International Law,” Villegas explained in a UN statement.

The commission made up of three people, Erica Messe, from Norway (the president), Jasminka Dzumhur, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Pablo de Greiff, from Colombia, must “establish the facts, circumstances and root causes of such violations and abuses “.

The investigative body has also been asked to identify, to the extent possible, individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations and crimes committed in Ukraine to ensure that they are held accountable. In addition, it has been tasked with formulating recommendations to end impunity and guarantee criminal responsibility, as well as access to justice for victims.

The Commission has been established for one year and is due to report orally to the Human Rights Council on its work in September 2022, prepare a written report by March 2023, as well as a report to the UN General Assembly.

The Human Rights Observation Mission in Ukraine warned on Friday that the two parties involved in the Ukraine conflict could be committing war crimes, noting that they have verified “serious violations of fundamental guarantees” by Russian forces and ukrainian

The United States, Poland and other countries have accused Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine.