Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine and Belarus’ response

Moderator:

Pavel Kuryan, Legal Consultant, UK

Speakers: 

Franak Viačorka, Chief Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya

Veranika Laputska, Co-founder, EAST Centre, Poland

Dr Ekaterina Deikalo, International Law Expert, Belarusian Helsinki Committee

Prof. Anatoliy Kruglashov, Doctor of Political Science, Head of Department of Political Science and Public Administration, Director, Research Institute of European Integration and Regional Studies, Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University

With Ukraine’s counter-offensive and liberation of most parts of the Kharkiv region, more evidence emerges of Russia’s war crimes. What is uncovered mirrors the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha, Irpin, Sumy and Chernigiv regions, that were revealed after those regions were freed in the spring.

The official discourse of the Belarusian authorities emphasises its total support for Russia and justifying its course in Ukraine. Belarusian public opinion polls reveal, meanwhile, that people distance themselves from these government statements and do not feel responsible for the war. Furthermore, a large share of democratically-minded Belarusian citizens support Ukraine’s fight for freedom, including through volunteering their military and other professional services to Ukraine, and condemn Russia’s military crimes there. Equally, while international attention is justifiably focused on Ukraine, Belarus should not be forgotten. More than two years on from the rigged 2020 election, tens of thousands of freedom fighters are rotting in prisons, and the number of political prisoners continues to grow day by day.   

How should war crimes in Ukraine be dealt with? What are the prospects of bringing the perpetrators to justice and what help is needed now to support the survivors in Ukraine? How can Russia’s control of Belarus be addressed? How can Lukashenka be made to bear responsibility for supporting the war against Ukraine? How can we interpret the evolution of public opinion in Belarus towards the war? These questions will be discussed in a panel discussion organised by the Office of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and the Oxford Belarus Observatory.

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