European Court Finds Russia Committed "Manifestly Unlawful Conduct" in Ukraine

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The European court of human rights has found that Russia committed "manifestly unlawful conduct... on a massive scale" since it invaded Ukraine in 2014, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence and forced labor. The court's grand chamber unanimously held that between May 11, 2014, and September 16, 2022, Russia had committed widespread and systemic use of sexual violence, accompanied by acts of torture. Civilians and prisoners of war were subjected to mock executions, the severing of body parts, and electric shocks, including to intimate areas of their bodies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European court of human rights found that Russia committed "manifestly unlawful conduct... on a massive scale" in Ukraine between May 11, 2014, and September 16, 2022.
  • The court identified widespread and systemic use of sexual violence, accompanied by acts of torture, including beatings, strangling, or electric shock.
  • Civilians and prisoners of war were subjected to mock executions, the severing of body parts, and electric shocks, including to intimate areas of their bodies.
  • The court found repeated violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, many of which had taken place over a period of more than eight years.
  • The court condemned Russia's "flagrant disregard" for the foundations of the international legal order established after World War II.
  • Violations identified by the court included indiscriminate military attacks, summary executions, torture, unlawful and arbitrary detention, unjustified displacement, and intimidation against journalists and civilians.
  • The court also found that the shooting down of flight MH17 using a missile supplied and transported to eastern Ukraine by the Russian Federation was in breach of the convention.

Statistics:

  • The European court of human rights considered evidence of widespread and systemic use of sexual violence and torture between 2014 and 2022.
  • The court found that civilians and prisoners of war were subjected to mock executions, the severing of body parts, and electric shocks, including to intimate areas of their bodies.
  • A total of 26 signatory states to the convention intervened as third parties in the case and expressed their support for making Russia accountable for violations of human rights.
  • The court will decide on whether to order compensation at a later date.

Sources:

  • European court of human rights
  • Court decision published on Wednesday
  • Council of Europe
  • Ukraine government
  • Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty Images