US seeks reform of war crimes law, cites ‘shocking crimes’ by Russia in Ukraine
- 4 primary federal agencies involved in policy issues have already agreed on ‘technical solutions’ to close major gaps in war crimes statutes
- UN found crimes including rape, torture, executions and confinement of children were committed by Russia in Ukraine. Moscow denies the allegations
The US Justice Department on Wednesday urged Congress to close legal gaps that make it hard for the United States to prosecute non-US citizens for war crimes, saying such changes could pave the way for the prosecution of Russian human rights crimes in Ukraine.
Eli Rosenbaum, the department’s counsellor for war crimes accountability, pitched the legal changes during a hearing before the US Senate Judiciary Committee, telling lawmakers that the four primary federal agencies involved in war crimes policy issues have already agreed on “technical solutions” to close what he described as major gaps in war crimes statutes.
“Given the shocking crimes being perpetrated by Russia during its unprovoked war against Ukraine, this hearing could not possibly be held at a more appropriate, urgent, or, frankly, terrifying time”, he said in prepared testimony.
“The Justice Department is committed to holding the perpetrators of such grave crimes fully accountable”.
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At UN General Assembly, US President Joe Biden calls out Russia for ‘brutal, needless war’
A United Nations-mandated commission found last week that war crimes including rape, torture, executions and confinement of children were committed by Russia in areas it occupied in Ukraine. Russia denied the allegations.