The US has officially determined that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, Vice-President Kamala Harris announced at the Munich Security Conference. She accused Moscow of “gruesome acts of murder, torture, rape and deportation” since its invasion, and promised that the perpetrators would be held to account. The UN defines such crimes as part of a “widespread or systemic attack” on a particular civilian population, and the US State Department’s legal analysis has confirmed this.
Harris cited “barbaric and inhumane” atrocities during the war in Ukraine, including the scores of bodies found in Bucha shortly after the invasion and the bombing of a theatre in Mariupol. She declared that justice must be served for all victims, both known and unknown. Crimes against humanity include murder, enslavement, torture, rape and deportation, and are considered more serious under international law than war crimes.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over such crimes, but cannot arrest suspects as Russia is not a signatory to the agreement that set up the court. World leaders are meeting in Munich as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches on 24 February. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called on Western allies to “double down” on their support for Ukraine and help guarantee Kyiv’s long-term security.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Moscow had “waged a genocidal war” because it did not think Ukrainians “deserve to exist as a sovereign nation”. Tens of thousands have lost their lives and millions have been forced from their homes as part of Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The US determination that Russia is carrying out crimes against humanity is a crucial step in holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions. It is now up to the international community to ensure that justice is served for all victims of these atrocities.