The Atlantic Council, Chatham House, and the Center for Liberal Modernity are pleased to invite you to join the webinar “Russia’s atrocities in Ukraine: war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide?”, which will take place on Tuesday, 12 April 2022, 2:30–4:00 pm (Berlin) / 1:30–3:00 pm (London) / 8:30–10:00 am (Washington).
Russia has committed massive and grave war crimes from the beginning of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The city of Mariupol, by now almost completely destroyed, has been under siege since early March. At least 5,000 residents have lost their lives. Of the city’s initial 450,000 residents, around 160,000 remain there without food, water, electricity, and heating. Ukrainian officials accuse Russia of covering up the killing of tens of thousands of civilians in Mariupol by using mobile crematoriums.
A few days ago, the world was shocked by the Russian atrocities uncovered in liberated towns near Kyiv. These atrocities are war crimes and crimes against humanity. The webinar will examine if these events can be even classified as a genocide, as some experts are already stating. It will further assess what political and international legal implications should follow these events. Are there international political and legal mechanisms to stop current and prevent further Russian war crimes? What are the legal instruments to investigate these crimes and bring those responsible to justice?
The discussion will take place with the participation of the following distinguished experts:
John Herbst, Senior Director of the Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council; Former US Ambassador to Ukraine
Christian Tomuschat, Former Member of the UN International Law Committee
Wayne Jordash, Managing Partner of Global Rights Compliance LLP (TBC)
Oleksandr Merezhko, Head of the Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Moderation: Marieluise Beck, Director for East-Central and Eastern Europe at LibMod