Ukraine says that Russia’s genocide claim is erroneous and filed a lawsuit against the invading country.
Ukraine Contradicted Russia’s Genocide Claim
The lawsuit claimed that Russia invaded Ukraine to prevent genocide is false and requested judges to require “provisional measures” to safeguard Ukraine. On Sunday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky filed a lawsuit against Russia at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Also called the world court, it confirmed receiving Ukraine’s protest. However, it didn’t disclose the date of the hearing.
The International Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, serves as the mediator whenever there are disputes between nations. Kyiv says that the two sides have a conflict about the meaning of the 1948 Genocide Convention. It’s the treaty that both Russia and Ukraine both signed.
Contrastingly, Russian President Vladimir Putin denied the allegations. He emphasized that Ukraine was the one that committed genocide in the Donbas region. Because of this, they invaded the region to justifiably end what Ukraine did.
Ukraine asked the ICJ to conclude the argument regarding “the existence of acts of genocide.” It includes Russia’s claim to the legal jurisdiction of taking military action in and against Ukraine.
Part of Ukraine’s complaint against Russia’s genocide claim states that:
“Ukraine has emphatically denied that any act of genocide has occurred in the
Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts or elsewhere in Ukraine, and that Russia has any lawful basis
whatsoever to take action in and against Ukraine for the purpose of preventing and punishing
genocide. In response to Russia’s claim, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a
a statement that Ukraine “strongly denies Russia’s allegations of genocide and denies any
attempt to use such manipulative allegations as an excuse for Russia’s unlawful aggression,”
noting that under the Genocide Convention, “Russia’s claims are baseless and absurd.”
European Lawyers Seeks Trial of Putin Over Ukraine’s Invasion
A group of European lawyers wants to put the Russian president on trial and his accomplices. Putin will be on a hot seat once indicted for invading Ukraine. The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) claimed that Russia’s actions violated the primary and principally accepted international law principles.
All nations should regard the basic obligations, principles, values, and freedoms. These are embarked in the European Convention on Human Rights and Charter of the United Nations. It also includes other instruments and general principles of international law. This is according to James MacGuill, CCBE president, solicitor, and Law Society of Ireland’s former president.
The CCBE embodies the Bars and law societies of 45 countries that support the EU institutions’ demand and the international community. They want Russia to stop its unlawful invasion of Ukraine. The unreasonable onslaught of a sovereign state symbolizes an outrageous assault on the rule of law.
CCBE honored the ICC prosecutor’s assertion that the court may wield its jurisdiction over and probe any act of genocide. Likewise, it will investigate crimes against humanity or war crimes committed within Ukraine’s territory from February 20 onwards.
According to the prosecutor, any individual who perpetrates such crimes may be liable to prosecution before the ICC. It includes accomplishing crimes by inciting, ordering, or delivering in a different manner.
The Law Society of Ireland supported the CCBE statement and participated in criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “This use of threat and force is a clear violation of international law by which all UN member states abide. The rule of law, protection of human rights and principles of democracy must be upheld. We support a swift and lawful end to this conflict, ” said Society president Michelle Ní Longáin.
Russia Showing Signs of Economic Consequences after Ukraine Invasion
The economic consequences of Russia’s Ukraine invasion are getting evident. The Russian ruble remains unaffected at approximately 84 rubles to a US dollar. Citizens try to withdraw cash from ATMs, as the Russian Central Bank calms people to prevent bank runs. Moreover, Mastercard and Visa with international bank accounts are no longer accepted.
Russia may temporarily need to close bank branches. It’s also possible that they will declare a national bank holiday to secure its financial system.
Russian Military Claimed Own Troops Killed and Wounded
For the first time, Russia reported there were casualties on their end. According to Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, some of their comrades suffered injuries while others died. He claimed that their losses were steadily fewer compared to Ukrainian forces but didn’t disclose numbers.
Konashenkov added that Russian troops had hit 1,067 Ukrainian facilities since its Thursday attack on Ukraine. It includes 56 radar stations, 38 air defense missile systems, and 27 command posts and communication centers. Ukraine, on the other hand, reported that they took down 3,500 Russian
troops.
Belarus Protested Russia’s Genocide Claim
Countless people protested Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that originated from Russia’s false genocide claim. The outcry came even if the Belarusian authoritarian government was on Moscow’s side.
The anti-war congregation stretched to almost 12 Belarusian cities. Human rights advocates revealed that authorities arrested over 170 people. Demonstrators marched in Minsk bearing Ukrainian flags.
Image Source: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine/WikimediaMedia Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic)
