As horrifying scenes of mass graves, torture, murder and rape have been discovered in Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel following the retreat of Russian armed forces, the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) has joined calls for the international community, including Australia, to condemn the killings as genocide; document the evidence; and show renewed commitment to providing Ukraine with the lethal weaponry it needs to save its citizens and country.
‘We call upon Australia and the world to act now. This is not war – this is genocide. Putin and the soldiers responsible for these atrocities are guilty of war crimes and murder. They must be brought to justice and made to account for the crimes they have inflicted on innocent men, women, and in some cases, teenagers,’ said Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM, Co-Chair AFUO.
‘We will be meeting today with our lawyers, including William E M Lye OAM QC, to find out how we can assist in the international campaign to gather evidence to be submitted to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into Ukraine,’ said Mr Romaiw.
‘It is also imperative that Ukraine is given more military weapons to defend itself against this barbarity. Ukraine must immediately be given more fighter jets, anti-air systems and anti-missile systems to protect its skies; and be provided with tanks, artillery and other heavy weapons.
‘Our political leaders have often said they will never again allow the horrors of WWII to be repeated. Yet they are being repeated in Ukraine today. How can international leaders stand by and watch Russia commit these crimes? Should their policy be guided by a desire not to ‘provoke Russia’, the next days and weeks will bring more Buchas,’ said Mr Romaniw.
‘The time to act is now. We want a better world. We want a world where there is respect for people, for the human body, for human dignity, for basic human rights,’ said Mr Romaniw.
Media Inquiries: Mr Stefan Romaniw mobile: 0419 531 255
