Espaillat, Cicilline Statement Urging Accountability for Russian War Crimes
WASHINGTON, DC -- Late last month, the United Nations’ Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine issued a scathing report finding that Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine. The Commission documented unlawful executions of civilians in more than 30 settlements, brutal executions, and sexual violence against Ukrainian communities, including children. In response to these horrific findings of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as Russia’s troop mobilization in the region, Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and David N. Cicilline (RI-01) – authors of the Putin War Crimes Resolution, H.Res.964 – are urging the House to consider passage of their resolution to hold Putin accountable:
“Our resolution outlines Vladimir Putin’s indiscriminate targeting of innocent civilians and brazen assaults across Ukraine. Our “Putin War Crimes Resolution” makes clear that Putin is a man without remorse, a moral compass, or respect for international law. The United States must lead in the fight to hold Putin accountable for his war crimes – and strongly attest the global community will not tolerate these flagrant violations of international law and crimes against humanity,” the members concluded. “We urge this Congress to pass our resolution without further delay – and must do all we can to show our support of the people of Ukraine and families fleeing Putin's war.”
The Espaillat-Cicilline resolution:
* Condemns the Russian government’s gross violations of international law amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity, stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, and supports the efforts of international organizations to help people displaced by war and conflict;
* Condemns the continued use of unlawful and indiscriminate violence against civilian populations by the government of Russia, its allies, and any other parties to the conflict;
* Urges that the global community hold Vladimir Putin and the Russian government accountable for war crimes committed during the military invasion of Ukraine;
* Urges the United States and its allies to continue providing defense security assistance and humanitarian aid to Ukraine as Ukrainians valiantly defend themselves against Russia’s military invasion;
* Supports the continued use of sanctions against Russia and its allies until Russia ends its military invasion and unequivocally recognizes Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders and political independence.
You can read the full text of the resolution HERE.
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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.
Media inquiries: Candace Person at [email protected] |