Reassuring the EU’s support – HRVP Josep Borrell visits war crimes sites together with EUAM Ukraine
November 11, 2024
With currently more than 140,000 cases registered by Ukrainian prosecutors, the number of war crimes committed by Russian forces in Ukraine is horrendous.
During his 5th trip to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion and last one as High Representative / Vice President (HRVP), Josep Borrell visited the village of Yahidne in Chernihiv region. Speaking with survivors of war crimes, the HRVP stressed the EU’s commitment to assuring accountability for these crimes.
“It is crucial that we do all we can to ensure accountability for war crimes”, Borrell said, making clear that not only those who had committed crimes on the ground would have to be brought to justice. The perpetrators, including those who give the orders or fail to prevent or repress such crimes must be held accountable”, the HRVP added.
During his visit to Chernihiv, the High Representative was accompanied by the EUAM Ukraine’s Head of Mission Rolf Holmboe and experts from the EUAM’s International Crimes team. Andrew Carney, Head of Component, briefed the High Representative on the mission’s support to the Ukrainian authorities.
“EUAM has a substantial number of investigators and legal experts engaging on the ground to support our Ukrainian partners. We help with investigating and documenting crime scenes, as well as building cases for prosecuting war crimes”, Carney informed the HRVP, adding that the mission also works to build stronger Ukrainian competencies on the various types of international crimes – among them torture and sexual violence, attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including on hospitals and educational facilities, environmental crimes, and crimes against the cultural heritage of Ukraine.
In closing, Borrell praised the support given to Ukraine by the EUAM mission. “EUAM is a key partner supporting Ukraine in assuring accountability for international crimes They do a great job.”
