As Volodymyr Zelensky says, can we talk about the “genocide” perpetrated by the Russian military in Ukraine?

Russian forces besieged some cities but did not “Prevented all Ukrainians from leaving”, Another feature that helps to characterize the option that would otherwise leave no one. There is nothing to suggest that it exists “Murder Centers”. The Russian military has not specifically targeted women and children, as they were the primary targets during the genocide because that was the purpose. “Destroy the group for sure”Encrypts Yann Jurovics.

In the most shared message On Twitter (In English)On Monday, Eugene Finkel, another genocide expert, historian and political scientist at Johns Hopkins University in the United States, said he was convinced that there was a genocide, especially after the publication of an article by the Russian official Rhea. Novosti. Published on Sunday and summarized in English A Belarusian journalistThis text preserves a broader perspective describing Russia “Denunciation” Ukraine, a goal repeatedly stated by Vladimir Putin: All armed Ukrainians must be expelled, and the majority of the Ukrainian population supports the Nazis, especially the state press organ writes. “One of the most outspoken statements I have ever seen aimed at destroying a national group.”Eugene Fingal believes he himself is Israeli, but was born in Ukraine.

But here again, Judge Ian Juroviks disagrees with this analysis: Russian discourse has no purpose “A Biological Group”But supporters of a political idea (real or not). “The simple test to determine if this is a genocide is to ask the victim himself if he has a will. For example, a Tutsi can no longer choose not to be a Tutsi.”, He explains. The rhetoric of Russian power, on the other hand, leaves the Ukrainians with the choice to relinquish their independence and the defense of their national identity. “In practice, this is a very limited choice”, The lawyer agrees. But he distinguishes the Russian authoritarian discourse from the genocidal discourse. “It connects political thought with a biological criterion”.

Other qualifications are possible

Joe Biden called for a war crimes trial on Monday, saying it was easy to establish a merit. Attacks on civilians, in particular, are war crimes, and have been numerous and documented in both Boutcha and Mariupol or Karkiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion in late February.

Crime against humanity is another potential merit. According to Yan Jurovix, this indicates, “Policy that deprives individuals of fundamental rights because they belong to one identity”.

“If Russian officials attack civilians in the wake of the armed conflict, it is a war crime. If they are targeted because the people are Ukrainians, it is a crime against humanity.”

Jan Jurovix is ​​a public law lecturer and former judge of the International Criminal Court

at franceinfo.fr

However, it is necessary to establish that the actions of the Russian military are the result of a unified policy, this expert explains. “It’s difficult without written evidence, and confessions are almost non-existent.”, He warns. But repeating some of the methods makes it possible to install: “If we realize that the Russian military is leaving a mass grave in all the cities it occupies, it can attest to a policy set at a high level.” The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already begun an investigation into all the acts committed in Ukraine in early March, even though it is unlikely that Vladimir Putin will one day be tried.

“Crime against humanity is neither less nor more serious than genocide”, Recalled Yann Jurovics. To legal experts, these two crimes describe different situations. “But the label ‘genocide’ is sometimes used because there is a hierarchical origin” Horror, this will be the final stage. At a time when the international community is a question that is provoking a reaction, the misuse or misuse of the word is understandable. But the lawyer recalled “For example, there was no military intervention in Rwanda to stop a genocide.”.