Riigikogu adopted a Statement on Russia’s war crimes and genocide in Ukraine

Member of the Ukrainian parliament Olena Shuliak described the vote in the Riigikogu as historically important for Ukraine. She sees recognising Russia’s activities as a genocide against the Ukrainian people as important for honouring the memory of the tens of thousands of fallen, but also important for those who have been tortured or raped, for those whose houses have been destroyed, as well as for those who are today forced to hide in cellars of Mariupol to shelter from bombing. “Qualifying the crime as such will lead to irrevocable condemnation. Starting with the perpetrators and ending with Vladimir Putin in person,” she said.

Shuliak reminded us that it was our shared responsibility to do everything in our power to end the genocide. “It is our joint responsibility to make sure that this never again takes place, anytime, anywhere, in no country. I believe that together we can achieve this goal,” she said.

The Riigikogu adopted the Statement of the Riigikogu “On the War Crimes and Genocide Committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine” (584 AE), presented by 84 Members of the Riigikogu.

The Statement says that it has been ascertained that in the war of aggression waged by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, systematic and massive war crimes have been committed against the Ukrainian nation by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. These crimes are ideologically incited by Russia’s political and military leadership and its national propaganda authorities.

“In the temporarily occupied territories, in particular the towns of Bucha, Borodyanka, Hostomel, Irpin, Mariupol, and many other Ukrainian settlements, the Russian Federation has committed acts of genocide, inter alia mass atrocities against the civilian population. These have consisted of murders, enforced disappearances, deportations, imprisonment, torture, rape, and desecration of corpses,” says the Statement.

In its Statement, the Riigikogu recognizes as genocide against the Ukrainian people the actions of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and calls on national parliaments and international organisations to do the same. The Riigikogu calls to support the investigation of these crimes, the prosecution of the perpetrators and the establishment of an international court for this purpose.

The Riigikogu also calls on countries around the world to immediately strengthen the sanctions against the Russian Federation, including by ending the trade of energy carriers with Russia with no exceptions, and to increase military assistance and humanitarian aid of critical importance to Ukraine. The Riigikogu expresses deep respect to the Ukrainian nation in their fight for freedom, commemorates the fallen, and mourns the victims.

During the debate, Anti Poolamets (Estonian Conservative People’s Party), Mati Raidma (Reform Party), Mihhail Lotman (Isamaa), Lauri Läänemets (Social Democratic Party), and Enn Eesmaa (Centre Party) took the floor.

86 members of the Riigikogu voted in favour of passing the Statement.

Source: Parliament of Estonia