Russia has lists of Ukrainians 'to be killed or sent to camps', US warns UN
WASHINGTON: The United States has warned the United Nations
it has information that Russia has lists of Ukrainians "to be killed or
sent to camps" in the event of an invasion, according to a letter sent to
the UN rights chief and obtained by AFP on Sunday (Feb 20).
The letter, which came as Washington warned of an imminent
invasion by Russian troops massed near the Ukrainian border, says the US is
"deeply concerned" and warns of a potential "human rights
catastrophe".
The US has "credible information that indicates Russian
forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to
camps following a military occupation", the letter says.
"We also have credible information that Russian forces
will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise
counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian
populations," says the message, addressed to UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
The note, signed by Bathsheba Nell Crocker, US ambassador to
the UN in Geneva, warns a Russian invasion of Ukraine could bring with it
abuses such as kidnappings or torture and could target political dissidents and
religious and ethnic minorities, among others.
Russia has placed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's
borders in recent weeks, the US and Western allies have estimated.
Moscow denies it plans to attack its neighbour, but is
seeking a guarantee that Ukraine will never join NATO and that the Western
alliance will remove forces from Eastern Europe, demands the West has refused.
No comments