OSCE - France welcomes the publication of a second independent experts’ report on the war in Ukraine (15 Jul. 2022)

France welcomes yesterday’s publication by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) of a second independent experts’ report “on Violations of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law, War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Committed in Ukraine (1 April-25 June 2022)”, under the so-called Moscow Mechanism. The report was launched on the initiative of 45 countries including France, following Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

France was deeply concerned to learn of the conclusions of this report, which highlights “serious violations of IHL [international humanitarian law], attributable mostly to Russian armed forces”. The offences described in the report are especially alarming, particularly with regard to allegations that the Russian Federation created “filtration centres” and centres for transferring detainees to the two separatist entities of Donestsk and Luhansk, where they risk the death penalty.

France remains resolutely committed alongside Ukraine, the Ukrainians, its international partners and the international courts to combating impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes. The report’s conclusions will feed into the investigations under way with a view to formally establishing legal and political responsibility for the atrocities committed on Ukrainian territory.