The World Organization Against Torture has developed two road maps to hold Russia accountable for crimes against humanity

The World Organization Against Torture has developed a road map crime atlas for Investigating Torture and Enforced Disappearances, as well as a road map for bringing about Legal and Advocacy Actions.

Maryia Kvitsinskaya, Expert on Europe and Central Asia at the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), during a briefing at Media Center Ukraine – Ukrinform.

Thus, according to her, the crime map on the subject of torture and enforced disappearances, particularly developed based on the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, where the theoretical framework was adapted to the context that currently exists in Ukraine.

“This historical, political, and military context of relations between Ukraine and Russia is an integral part of the crime committed by the Russian forces. Accordingly, it should be taken into account during the investigation, it should be considered when picking the strategy. That is why we have compiled a comprehensive checklist that human rights organizations representatives should be guided by when deployed on field missions and interview witnesses,” she explained.

She emphasized that this road map of criminal incidents can further help establish the fact of committing crime against humanity—persecution.

In addition, Maryia Kvitsinskaya explained that the road map for Legal and Advocacy Actions is an integrated and strategic use of all currently available international legal instruments, including UN treaty bodies, the UN Court of Justice, and universal jurisdiction. The ultimate goal is the International Criminal Court.

“The road maps have been developed, in particular, for the Ukraine 5 AM Coalition, for civil society organizations to ensure they are able to conduct structural investigations and investigate specific episodes. Obviously, this information reports should be passed on to law enforcement agencies to have all things considered in their work,” she said.

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