From the Helsinki Commission overview of the hearing:
Russia’s violent imperial war in Ukraine is not only a flagrant violation of international law and interstate norms, but it also carries all the hallmarks of an ongoing campaign of genocide in Ukraine. From Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s 7,000-word screed that systematically and ahistorically denies Ukrainian nationhood; to mass graves uncovered in almost every Ukrainian territory liberated from Russian occupation; to the Kremlin’s public campaign of mass deportation and of Ukrainian civilians and children through “filtration” concentration camps; to the deliberate targeting of maternity hospitals, medical facilities, schools, and basic civil infrastructure; to the widespread employment of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of terror—rarely has genocidal intent and pattern of action been so clearly telegraphed and demonstrated for the world to see. According to the five-point definition under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, Russia has demonstrated clear, notorious, and mounting evidence in all five criteria, even though only one must be fulfilled to qualify as genocide.
This briefing will feature leading experts to review that evidence and highlight the urgent case for a congressional declaration of Russia’s genocidal intent and actions in Ukraine. In June, Helsinki Commission Cochairman Rep. Steve Cohen introduced House Resolution 1205 [which] would declare Russia’s genocidal campaign in Ukraine as it is. In July, a Senate companion (S.Res.713) was also introduced by Senator James Risch. In the spirit of prevention, as demanded by the 1948 Convention, and given the months- or often years-long time-frame for legal adjudications, these bills represent a bipartisan and bicameral political declaration based on the overwhelming and mounting evidence already in front of us.
The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) had the above virtual hearing on Monday, November 14 on the evidence of genocide in Ukraine perpetuated by the Russian government & military. The video provides a great overview of Russian war crimes & genocide in Ukraine that has been happening since 2014 but intensified with the February 2022 invasion & nationwide attack. I urge you to listen to this hearing and then take some action steps to get Congress to declare & acknowledge Russia’s genocidal acts in & against Ukraine, acting on Congressman Steve Cohen’s House Resolution 1205 and Senator James Risch’s companion S.Res 713.
Action Items
1.) Use the button below (Find Your Congress Members) and click on your Congressperson and/or Senator to contact them to support H.Res 1205 & S.Res 713.
2.) Go to their Contact Me page
3.) Send a message - if asked for a topic, select foreign or international relations, and mention House Resolution 1205 or companion Senate Resolution 713 as the topic. Our goal is to pressure our representatives to throw their support behind this historic bill to recognize Russia’s genocidal war in Ukraine for what it is.
4.) Call their office (also listed on the same page) and let them or their team know that as their representative you want them to support H. Res 1205 or S. Res. 713.
5.) Share, Share, Share. Share with your own words or share this post with the button below. I just want this to be known to the world & to have a strong voice from the United States who has so often stood by in the face of genocide.
Sample Message
Dear Senator/Representative __________:
I am writing (calling) to encourage you to support House Resolution 1205, introduced by Representative Steve Cohen, in recognizing Russia’s aggressive and imperial war as a genocidal campaign against Ukrainians and other non-Russians in Ukraine. Recently the Commission on Security & Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), also known as the US Helsinki Commission, held a hearing on Russian atrocities within the sovereign nation of Ukraine, which it attacked unprovoked in 2014 and intensified its campaign in February 2022, in which evidence was introduced and discussed showing Russian intent to annihilate Ukrainian culture & sovereignty as an independent nation. Please support this bill and continue our country’s support for Ukraine in its defense against Russian invaders.
Elie Wiesel, famed Jewish writer and Holocaust surivor, said:
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must—at that moment—become the center of the universe,
I encourage you to take a side and stand with Ukraine as they fight for their freedom and survival.
Thank you for your time in reading this message.
Warm Regards,
_____________________
Let’s continue to put pressure on OUR Representatives & OUR governments to do the right, just, and moral thing & continue to support Ukraine through every and all means necessary to counter Russian aggression & genocide.