Bathsheba Crocker, the US Ambassador to the UN, has accused Russia of drawing up lists of Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following an alleged invasion according to a letter obtained by The Washington Post.
The one-page missive, sent at an unspecified date to UN High Commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet, contains the latest “Russian threat” rhetoric by the US in which Crocker alleges intelligence indicating that should Russia launch an incursion on Kyiv, it would partake in widespread human suffering.
Crocker wrote in her letter that they’re in possession of disturbing information that indicates that human rights violations and abuses following a further invasion of Russia in Ukraine are being planned.
She’s listing likely acts – used in past Russian operations – such as targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture that would allegedly be used against people who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in Ukraine.
According to Crocker’s letter, the US has credible information indicating that Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.
They also believe that Russian forces will likely disperse peaceful protests by using lethal measures or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations.
The letter said that Washington is deeply concerned about Moscow’s continuing human rights abuses in the parts of Ukraine it already occupies, noting it believes those concerns will multiply following a new military offensive.
It is presumed that Crocker’s most likely referred to Crimea, which Moscow annexed after the March 2014 referendum – that Moscow claims were conducted in full compliance with international law and the UN Charter- in which nearly 96% of Crimeans voted to rejoin Russia.
However, the stance that’s echoed by the US and many Western countries is Kyiv’s claims that Crimea is Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia.
Be the first to comment