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Press Release
Russia’s Unlawful Transfer of Civilians a War Crime and Likely a Crime Against Humanity – New Report
Russian authorities forcibly transferred and deported civilians from occupied areas of Ukraine in what amounted to war crimes and likely crimes against humanity, Amnesty International said in a new report published today. The report, “Like a Prison Convoy”: Russia’s Unlawful Transfer of Civilians in Ukraine and Abuses During ‘Filtration’, details how Russian and Russian-controlled forces forcibly transferred civilians from occupied Ukraine further into Russian-controlled areas or into Russia. Children have been separated from their families during the process, in violation of international humanitarian law. Civilians told Amnesty International how they were forced through abusive screening processes – known as ‘filtration’ –…
November 10, 2022
Press Release
Russian Attacks on Critical Energy Infrastructure in Ukraine Amount to War Crimes
Reacting to the news that Russian attacks on energy facilities in Ukraine over recent days have led to a nationwide blackout in the country, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
October 20, 2022
Update
Amnesty Statement for the Record: HFAC Russia War Crimes Hearing
On September 21, 2022, the Europe, Energy, the Environment and Cyber subcommittee of the House Foreign Affairs Committee held a hearing on "Accountability for Atrocity Crimes Committed by Russia in Ukraine". Amnesty International submitted this statement for the record. The statement tracks some of the patterns Amnesty's researchers uncovered in their work on the ground in Ukraine. Throughout the conflict, the Russian military has shown a wanton disregard for international law, used banned weapons such as cluster bombs, intentionally targeted civilians, perpetrated sexual violence and rape against the Ukrainian population, and precipitated a devastating humanitarian crisis. Many of these…
September 21, 2022
Press Release
As Ukraine Retakes Territory from Russia, Securing Evidence of Alleged War Crimes is Crucial
Reacting to new evidence of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces following military advances by Ukrainian forces retaking control of Russia-occupied territories, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
September 12, 2022
Press Release
‘Filtration’ of Ukrainian Civilians a ‘Shocking Violation’ of People Forced to Flee War
Responding to the news that the UN has verified that Russian soldiers have subjected Ukrainian civilians to a rights-abusing process known as “filtration,” a practice independently verified by Amnesty International as deeply abusive and humiliating, Marie Struthers, Amnesty’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
September 8, 2022
Press Release
Russia’s Military Activities at Nuclear Plant in Ukraine Risk Safety in Region
Responding to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s findings that Russia is stationing forces in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), confirming information that Amnesty International received in August, Denis Krivosheev, Deputy Director for Research in Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia office, said:
September 6, 2022
Press Release
Russian Sham Trials of Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Mariupol ‘Illegal and Unacceptable’
Any moves by Russian-backed armed groups to try Ukrainian prisoners of war in a so-called ‘international tribunal’ in Mariupol are illegal and abusive, and a further act of cruelty against a city that has already suffered extensively under Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Amnesty International said today.
August 26, 2022
Press Release
AIUSA Statement on Six-Month Anniversary of War in Ukraine
The government of Russia must end its war of aggression in Ukraine, which began six months ago today, and the international community must hold those responsible for the Russian military’s war crimes accountable. The scale of devastation caused by this war of aggression thus far demands countries around the world do more to provide humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people still in country and those seeking refuge abroad.
August 24, 2022
Press Release
Ukrainian Fighting Tactics Endanger Civilians
Ukrainian forces have put civilians in harm’s way by establishing bases and operating weapons systems in populated residential areas, including in schools and hospitals, as they repelled the Russian invasion that began in February, Amnesty International said today.
August 3, 2022
Press Release
Russian Authorities Must Drop Case Against Ilya Yashin – Latest Victim of Clampdown on War Critics
Reacting to the news that the Russian authorities have opened a criminal investigation against Ilya Yashin, one of the few leading opposition figures criticizing the invasion of Ukraine who remained in the country and who has been arbitrarily detained since the end of June, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
July 13, 2022
Press Release
Free Student in Belarus Jailed for 6.5 Years for Reposting Criticism of Ukraine War and Lukashenka
Reacting to the news that a court in Belarus sentenced Danuta Pyarednya, a 20-year-old student from Mahiliou, to 6.5 years in jail for reposting a message criticizing the war in Ukraine and the role of Belarus’ ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka in it, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
July 6, 2022
Report
Deadly Mariupol Theatre Strike in Ukraine ‘a Clear War Crime’ by Russian Forces – New Investigation
An extensive investigation by Amnesty International has concluded that Russian military forces committed a war crime when they struck the Mariupol drama theatre in Ukraine in March, killing at least dozen people and likely many more.
June 29, 2022