Invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Ottawa: Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today said that Canada’s initiative at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to establish a mission of experts to address the human rights and humanitarian impacts of Russia’s invasion and acts of war against the people of Ukraine.
“Canada, and indeed the world, are witnessing the horrific impacts of President Putin’s unjustifiable and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s aggression is violating not only the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, but also the security and safety of those who call it home, “she said.
On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation, with the support of Belarus, launched an invasion to wage war against Ukraine. This further invasion took place against the backdrop of ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine that has, since 2014, violated Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and territorial waters.
In response to President Putin’s tyrannical decision to invade Ukraine and commit deplorable acts that have taken hundreds of innocent civilian lives, including children, and placed countless others in jeopardy, Canada and 44 participating states have invoked the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism.
With Ukraine’s support, a mission of experts will be convened to establish the facts and circumstances surrounding Russia’s possible contraventions of its OSCE commitments and its violations and abuses of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including possible war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The steps taken today build on Canada’s determination to hold President Putin accountable, including referring the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court.
