Attorney general Suella Braverman hosted Ukraine’s prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova on Thursday, where she reiterated UK support for Ukraine’s investigations into war crimes carried out by the Russian military on Ukrainian soil.
The visit by Venediktova is part of a two-day mission to the UK, during which she will attend a series of ministerial and official meetings to discuss further support the UK can provide to help prosecute those culpable of war crimes in Ukraine.
Venediktova will also meet with deputy prime minister and justice secretary Dominic Raab as part of those exchanges, with the UK’s support for international accountability efforts to be on the agenda, particularly those carried out by the International Criminal Court.
The prosecutor general will later attend talks with Lord Ahmad, the prime minister's special representative on preventing sexual violence in conflict.
The UK and Ukraine have been in close contact in recent weeks over how to bring Russian war criminals to justice for atrocities committed across Ukraine since the invasion began in late February.
The prosecutor general’s visit follows the establishment of a collaborative Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, formed on Wednesday by the UK, US and EU to help better co-ordinate support for Ukraine in its investigations into war crimes.
Earlier in May, Braverman [pictured] also visited the prosecutor general in Ukraine as part of a delegation of UK war crime experts.
Speaking ahead of Venediktova’s visit, Braverman said: “Russia’s illegal invasion has brought barbarity to Ukraine and justice must and will be done.
“It is an honour to host the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktova in London following my visit to Ukraine earlier this month. I am determined that British expertise will help Ukraine uncover the truth and hold those responsible in Putin’s regime to account for their actions.”
Commenting after arriving in the UK, Venediktova said: “It is a great pleasure to be in London, to continue my important dialogue with attorney general Braverman, and meet the deputy prime minister and Lord Ahmad.
"I, and the people of Ukraine, deeply appreciate the United Kingdom’s support as we search for justice together.”
Speaking prior to his meeting with the prosecutor general, Raab said: “Russian commanders carrying out war crimes should know they cannot act with impunity.
“The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and we have provided £1 million and specialist expertise to support the International Criminal Court’s investigation so these war criminals are held to account.”
Lord Ahmad added: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been characterised by despicable crimes, including sexual violence and the murder of innocent civilians. We’re committed to ensuring the perpetrators are held accountable.
“Today’s meetings with Iryna Venediktova will be vital in discussing how the UK can support Ukraine in its investigations. This includes our deployment of war crimes experts to the region, and by working closely with our US and EU partners in the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, launched this week. We will not rest until justice is served.”
As of Monday, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR] recorded 8,462 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including almost 4,000 fatalities. However, Neil Bush, the head of the UK delegation to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned that the true number of civilians both injured and dead is likely to be much higher.
Bush said: “We may not know the true human cost of this war for years to come. It is nothing short of a tragedy.
“The Geneva Conventions are clear on the obligations of nations to respect international humanitarian law. We again call on Russia to abide by the principles of proportionality and distinction; and to immediately cease the indiscriminate use of wide area impact weapons in civilian areas, particularly around uniquely protected locations such as medical facilities.
“We again call on Russia to facilitate safe corridors for the evacuation of civilians and for the distribution of essential supplies. Inaction on the protection of innocent civilians speaks volumes. And ultimately, we again call on Russia to stop this senseless and strategically failing war and withdraw its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine.”
Image taken from Wikimedia Commons
