UN forms commission to investigate Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine

President of the UN Human Rights Council, Federico Villegas, has appointed three members of the commission to investigate military and other crimes committed by Russia during the war against Ukraine, Report informs citing the UN Human Rights Council.

The creation of an independent international commission to investigate Russia's crimes against Ukraine is provided for by Resolution No. 49/1 of the Human Rights Council dated March 4, 2022. The document notes that it will include three experts appointed by the president of the organization.

The members of the commission are:

Eric Messe of Norway (Chairman) - former head of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Rwandan Genocide;

Jasminka Dzumhur from Bosnia and Herzegovina is a former judge, now the ombudsman for human rights in her country;

Pablo de Greiff of Colombia is a former justice adviser to international organizations and Director of the Transnational Justice Program at New York University.

The commission should “collect, compile and analyze evidence of violations and abuses, including their gender dimension, and systematically record and store all information, documentation and evidence, in particular interviews, witness statements and forensic evidence, in accordance with international law standards, taking into account any future litigation.”

The commission was established for one year. Based on the results of its activities, it must submit an oral report in September 2022, and by March 2023, prepare a written report and submit it to the UN General Assembly.