In a historic first, Russian human rights activists undertook a monitoring mission in Ukraine last month, documenting the aftermath of war following their nation’s invasion. At a press conference in Berlin on February 25, the Human Rights Defence Centre Memorial shared their findings, marking a significant moment of accountability in the face of horrific acts committed by Russian forces. Among the team were co-chair Oleg Orlov, Natalia Morozova, and Vladimir Malykhin, who traversed key cities, including Kyiv, to unveil the extent of war crimes.
The team ventured into areas like Bucha, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, areas engulfed by suffering, where they encountered survivors of violent purges and witnessed the wreckage of civilian infrastructure. “For the first time, a Russian human rights mission has documented evidence of war crimes committed by its own country’s army,” they proclaimed, shedding light on the tragedies inflicted on innocent lives. They aimed not only to report on these crimes but to join the broader fight to ensure justice prevails.
Their discussions revealed chilling tales from Ukrainians subjected to Russia’s “filtration” processes, reminiscent of past military tactics in Chechnya. Malykhin noted that the Russian military’s operations were more systematic this time, targeting all suspected individuals. Orlov described the current military aggression as a dark continuation of previous human rights violations witnessed in the North Caucasus and Syria, underlining the systematic nature of state terror.
Morozova also outlined the imperative of maintaining awareness of past atrocities during ongoing peace negotiations with Russia, warning that amnesia towards historical crimes could lay the groundwork for future violence. “A peace built on impunity will not be lasting. It only encourages further crimes,” she aptly cautioned. Following their mission, Memorial’s team plans to compile their observations into a detailed report and offer assistance to civilians impacted by war, utilising part of their Nobel Prize funding.
The Russian government remains silent on Memorial’s findings, leaving their allegations hanging in the air, potent and unaddressed, as the world watches and waits for justice to unfold.
Last month, Russian human rights activists conducted their inaugural monitoring mission in Ukraine since the invasion, documenting war crimes. Spearheaded by Memorial, the team surveyed various cities, interviewed survivors, and aimed to hold perpetrators accountable. Their findings highlight the ongoing brutality and the importance of remembering past atrocities in discussions for peace. The activists will prepare a report and assist affected civilians as a part of their contributions.
In summary, Russian human rights activists have embarked on a pivotal monitoring mission in Ukraine, aiming to expose war crimes committed by their country’s forces. Their experiences have laid bare the trauma of civilians and underline the urgent need for accountability. As they prepare a report for authorities and offer assistance to victims, the call for justice grows louder amidst the eerie silence from Russian officials.
Original Source: meduza.io
