Posted on February 23, 2023
Responses to Russia’s Acts of Violence and Human Rights Violations Against Ukraine
By Ariel Gootkin
On February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, initiating a major escalation of the ongoing conflict that began in 2014. Moreover, the United Nations considered the 2022 attack to be a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and has since taken significant steps to respond accordingly. [3] The ongoing international conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had continuous detrimental consequences. [3] Countries around the world have condemned Russia for its actions, to ensure there is no impunity for these crimes against humanity, and to bring justice to victims and survivors. [9]
For example, there have been numerous documented unlawful killings, brutal executions, and sexual violence against Ukrainian communities. [4] Serious acts of torture and enforced disappearances have occurred, as well as indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas which have targeted energy infrastructure, leaving civilians without electricity, water, and heat. [9] Together, Russia’s acts against Ukraine are unprovoked, considered an unjustified war of choice and include gross and systematic human rights violations. [1] Currently, authorities have registered more than 65,000 Russian war crimes in Ukraine. [2] As the violence continues, it is important to recognize the detriment that has occurred thus far, what solutions have been implemented in a global sense and specifically by the United States, as well as the uncertainty that remains as the conflict continues going forward.
Global Response
Accordingly, in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the world has taken initiatives to protect civilians, respond to the refugee crisis, and monitor nuclear power plants. [3] UN human rights experts have expressed serious concerns for migrants from Ukraine. Specifically, about a third of the population has fled the country since the war started, and women, children, older people, and people with disabilities had been placed in extremely vulnerable situations. [3] Below is a brief list to highlight these responses:
- On April 7, 2022, Russia was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council. This was a response from countries around the world, in an effort for Russia to honor the principles in the UN Charter and cease its aggression against Ukraine. [1]
- On December 27, 2022, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with humanitarian funding from the European Union, pledged to support over 700,000 Ukrainians with winterization support, including the repair of damaged homes, improvement of water supply and heating systems, and the refurbishment of collective centers to host displaced civilians. [11]
- As of February 19, 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) has authenticated and responded to 780 attacks on health care since the war began, which are violations of international humanitarian and human rights law. [3]
- On January 4, 2023, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) responded to support an urgent need to avoid a food crisis with a $15.5 million initiative to help farmers and smallholders in Ukraine. [3]
- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is closely monitoring nuclear power plants and continues to expand and intensify activities “to help Ukraine ensure nuclear safety and security at its nuclear facilities.” [3]
- NATO and NATO Allies have provided humanitarian aid by hosting millions of refugees in several countries and continue to explore options for supporting Ukraine’s future efforts of post-war reconstruction and reforms. [10]
United States Response
Throughout the last year, the United States has aided Ukraine in military support against Russia’s invasion. [5] The U.S. remains Ukraine’s most important military supporter, and American leadership has thus far been largely united in their support for Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine. [7] However, there seems to be an increased strategy to seek justice, which entails changing U.S. laws on prosecuting war crimes. [5] The Department of Justice has continuously assisted Ukrainian authorities with training to address the needs of surviving victims and facilitate participation in the investigative and prosecutorial process. [13]
In September 2022, the Department of Justice signed a memorandum with Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General. [13]
- This memorandum facilitated cooperation, coordination, and deconfliction between investigations between the United States and Ukraine. This mutual agreement ensures understanding regarding the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of perpetrators of war crimes and other violations of law, as well as any exchange of information and records between the nations. [13]
On December 22, 2022, Congress unanimously passed the Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act. [6]
- Previously, the only prosecution of war criminals allowed in a U.S. court was if the victim or perpetrator was a U.S. citizen, and the only remedy was deportation. [5] This Act expands the original war crimes jurisdiction to include war criminals found in the U.S., regardless of the location or targets of the criminal acts. [12] This Act also eliminates the statute of limitations for certain war crimes. [12] Altogether, this Act will facilitate prosecutions of foreign nationals who commit crimes in Ukraine and later travel to the U.S. [13]
The U.S. is now at its closest cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC). [8]
- The ICC was established in 1988, to “investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes of concern to the international community”, particularly the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. [8] As 123 countries have joined the ICC, Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. have not. [14] Therefore, the U.S. has previously been opposed to the ICC investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine. [14]
- However, On March 23, 2022, the S. War Crimes Ambassador at Large for Global Criminal Justice stated that the U.S. has welcomed the fact that the ICC has “opened an investigation into the situation with Ukraine.” [14] As the ICC’s investigation as well as other developing initiatives are underway, it is believed that Kyiv is the closest it has been to gaining U.S. support to establish a special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s crimes of aggression. [2]
As Russia’s human rights violations and war crimes continue against Ukraine, it is likely that the United States will continue to take further action, and that other nations will join alongside.
Future Action
Currently, the war continues. Individuals across the globe including national security analysts, lawmakers, and retired officials, have chimed in on how and when the conflict could end, but the responses seem uncertain and glum. [7] The timeline may extend several months, years, or beyond, and there is a heavy concern for necessary military assistance, weapon use, and emergency aid funding. [7] As of February 1, 2023, the death toll in Ukraine consists of 7,110 civilian deaths, and over 75,000 buildings, including homes, schools, and hospitals have been reduced to rubble. [2]
Going forward, the United Nations and other multilateral organizations and foreign governments must continue to cooperate, form initiatives to aid Ukraine, and use mechanisms and tools to hold Russia accountable for their inhume actions of violence. [9]
SOURCES
[1] Anthony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, Russia’s Suspension from the UN Human Rights Council Press Statement, U.S. Department of State, (April 7, 2022),
[2] Amanda Macias, Politics, Russia Has Committed More Than 65,000 War Crimes in Ukraine, Prosecutor General Says, Consumer News and Business Channel, (February 1, 2023), https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/01/ukraine-russia-war-65000-war-crimes-committed-prosecutor-general-says.html#:~:text=Investing%20Club-,Russia%20has%20committed%20more%20than%2065%2C000,in%20Ukraine%2C%20prosecutor%20general%20says&text=Ukraine’s%20Prosecutor%20General%20Andriy%20Kostin,began%20nearly%20a%20year%20ago.
[3] Regional Information Centre for Western Europe, The UN and the War in Ukraine: Key Information, United Nations, (February 19, 2023),
[4] UN News Human Rights, War Crimes Have Been Committed in Ukraine, Conflict Top UN Human Rights Inquiry Reveals, United Nations, (September 23, 2022),
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1127691
[5] Deborah Amos, Since Russia Invaded Ukraine, the U.S. has Changed its Laws on Prosecuting War Crimes, National Public Radio, (February 13, 2023),
[6] Justine N. Stefanelli, Justice for Victims of War Crimes Act Passed in U.S. Senate, American Society of International Law, (January 3, 2023),
https://www.asil.org/ILIB/justice-victims-war-crimes-act-passed-us-senate
[7] Joe Gould et al., When Will the War in Ukraine End? Experts Offer Their Predictions, Defense News, (February 13, 2023),
[8] Helping Build a More Just World, Understanding the International Criminal Court, International Criminal Court, (2020),
https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/Publications/understanding-the-icc.pdf
[9] Ukraine: Russian Invasion Causing Widespread Suffering for Civilians, Accountability for Apparent War Crimes, Other Abuses Crucial, Human Rights Watch, (January 12, 2023), https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/01/12/ukraine-russian-invasion-causing-widespread-suffering-civilians
[10] Relations with Ukraine, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, (February 20, 2023),
https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_37750.htm?
[11] IOM and EU Will Support Over 700,000 Ukrainians Through the Winter in War Time, United Nations Press Release, (December 27, 2022),
[12] David N. Cicilline, House Sends Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Broaden War Crimes Jurisdiction to President’s Desk, House.gov, (December 22, 2022),
[13] Office of the Spokesperson, Supporting Justice and Accountability in Ukraine, U.S. Department of State, (February 18, 2023),
https://www.state.gov/supporting-justice-and-accountability-in-ukraine/
[14] Rebecca Hamilton, Pressing US Officials on Russia and Int’l Criminal Court: The Interview We Should Be Hearing, Just Security, (April 6, 2022),
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