Evidence plays a key role in the investigation of war crimes. Finland could help in forensic research, suggests Frank Johansson, CEO of Amnesty.
Russia seeks to prevent investigation into Bashan’s suspected massacre and other possible war crimes, says Amnesty International’s executive director of Finland Frank Johansson. Johansson commented on Russia’s operations in ‘s morning and radio’s Ykkösaamu on Tuesday.
– It is more than likely that Russia will make every effort to prevent the progress of investigations. It would almost require a change of government and a change of policy in Russia for us to see cooperation from them.
Former war crimes prosecutor Carla Del Ponte your bet on the weekend (you will switch to another service) To the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for the President of Russia Vladimir from Putin and other high-level decision-makers in Russia.
Johansson considers the legal proceedings of the actions of the state leadership to be unlikely, but not impossible.
– It is not exceptional that the state leadership is brought to justice. After the war in the former Yugoslavia, Karadžić, Mladić and Milošević ended up in The Hague.
“Gathering evidence is now paramount”
Warfare has its own rules that specifically protect civilians. For example, attacks should not be aimed directly at civilians or if the risk of hitting civilians is too great. According to Johansson and numerous Western leaders, Russia has repeatedly violated these rules. Russia has denied the allegations.
– If the story told in Bushan’s pictures is correct, then Russia is guilty of the execution and torture of civilian prisoners. We have also received reports of rape, although these are unconfirmed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi has called for the most open and thorough investigation into the killing of civilians. Evidence of alleged war crimes is gathered by numerous parties: Ukraine itself, the International Criminal Court, the United States, human rights organizations, and the Bellingcat community of investigative journalism.
According to Johansson, Finland could also take the initiative in investigating cases.
– One could see if we have the expertise that can be offered to help Ukraine. For example, forensic expertise given in various international conflicts.
Johansson emphasizes that the administration of justice is important for the victims of potential war crimes, no matter how long the process takes. However, it will take a long time to prosecute – Johansson estimates that it will take ten years.
In Russia, the responsibility for investigating their own
War crimes should be dealt with primarily in the courts of the countries concerned. Johansson points out that Russia must investigate the possible crimes of its own soldiers.
– It hardly happens.
Prosecution may be brought before the International Criminal Court in The Hague if the parties concerned do not wish to or are unable to do so. War crimes may also be prosecuted outside the countries concerned, for example in Finland.
– An investigation could also be launched in Finland if one knew the person involved in war crimes (here). In Finland, it would be an obligation to arrest a person and start the process here.
Such a legal process was seen, for example Francois Bazaramban under. The Helsinki Court of Appeal convicted Bazaramba of involvement in the Rwandan genocide in the spring of 2012.