Canada will also submit a request to the International Criminal Court […] against Russia for crimes against humanity and war crimes
said Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, speaking to journalists in Geneva after the virtual speech delivered by her Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov at the Human Rights Council (HRC) of theUN.
It is also important for us to show consistency in our support for Ukraine.
added Ms. Joly.
The prosecutor’s office ICC had already announced on Monday that he would seek court approval to open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine, just days after Russia invaded. Lithuania also announced an initiative similar to Canada’s on Monday.
Boycotted Russian Foreign Minister
Two speeches by Mr. Lavrov, before the Human Rights Council, but also before the Conference on Disarmament, were also boycotted by many delegations on Tuesday.
The minister was supposed to come to Geneva in person to speak to these two international bodies, but he canceled his visit on Monday, citing the anti-Russian sanctions
which prohibit him from flying over the European Union.
His speeches were therefore transmitted by video. But shortly before their broadcast, many diplomats left the rooms where they were presented.
Sergei Lavrov’s speech boycotted at the Human Rights Council
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explained in particular the French ambassador in Geneva, Jérôme Bonnafont.
Tuesday’s debates at the Conference on Disarmament were preceded by a minute’s silence. for the victims
in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba addressed the assembly. Russian Indiscriminate Attacks on Civilians and Critical Infrastructure Are War Crimes
he said in a video message, before asking for an emergency plenary session on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Russian aggression is a global threat. Therefore, the response to this threat must be global
he said.
Also speaking before the Human Rights Council on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested that Russia be excluded.
