Ukrainian lawyer and human rights activist Oleksandra Matviychuk has no doubts that Russian President Vladimir Putin will one day answer for his crimes. “Should Putin live through the day and fail to repeat Hitler’s actions, he will stand trial,” said the recently-crowned alternate Nobel laureate.
“It may sound naive now, but I know the story. Many authoritarian leaders around the world believe they are untouchable. History shows that sooner or later authoritarian regimes collapse and their leaders have to respond as a result,” Matviychuk said Thursday at a Zoom meeting of the Right Livelihood Foundation broadcast from Kiev.
Efforts of the International War Crimes Tribunal
She and her organization, the Kyiv Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), are currently collaborating with other initiatives to establish an International Tribunal on War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide, which, according to Matviychuk, “will stop the vicious circle.” of impunity” for Russian war crimes.
Reference to Nuremberg Trials
According to her, a tribunal is needed “to hold to account the highest political and military leaders in Russia, as well as those who committed these crimes with their own hands. That way we can get the legal dimension of this war.” According to the Ukrainian human rights activist, in the past century, humanity took a big step towards law enforcement during the Nuremberg trials.
Your organization has recorded over 19,000 war crimes related incidents during Russia’s seven-month war against Ukraine.
“Ukrainian perpetrators will be brought to justice”
Matviychuk acknowledged that there were also allegations of war crimes committed by Ukrainian soldiers. “But the vast majority of the war crimes we have documented involve Russian troops.” She also pointed out that Ukrainian perpetrators could and would be brought to justice and held accountable in Ukraine. Putin, on the other hand, adorns the soldiers of those units who have committed war crimes.
The CCL and Matviychuk have been trying for years for Ukraine to become a full member of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “We firmly believe that by joining Ukraine, Ukraine can send a clear signal to the civilized world,” the Ukrainian activist said.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
