Protect civilians in Ukraine

It has been over two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an act of aggression that violates the United Nations Charter and a crime under international law.

Russia’s military occupation and the resulting crisis has led to the gravest human rights and refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two.

As anticipated, the invasion has had horrific consequences for human lives and human rights. No matter who we are, all of us can feel the plight of Ukrainian families fearing for their lives. Solidarity with Ukrainian families and the victims of this war is part of our shared humanity.

Justice, accountability and redress for the victims of crimes under international law must be centred in any resolution to this crisis.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an act of aggression and a crime under international law. Russia is seeking to depose Ukraine's lawfully elected government. Within and beyond Ukraine, this is having a massive impact on civilians’ lives, safety and well-being.

The International Court of Justice has ruled that Russia's acts are not justifiable. To add insult to injury, Russia is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, with significant power on the international stage.

From Bucha, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Odesa, we have been relentless in documenting how Russian forces have been committing war crimes and delivering death to Ukraine.

Explore the timeline below to see everything we have published on the invasion and read below for more information.

We have conducted on-the-ground investigations and gathered testimonies across the towns of Borodyanka, Bucha, Andriivka, Zdvyzhivka and Vorzel. We documented unlawful air strikes and extrajudicial executions. In Kharkiv we documented war crimes by Russian forces against civilians. Everyday people were shelled by banned weapons in hospitals, at playgrounds and queuing for humanitarian aid. In Odesa, we investigated a reckless attack in a location where no military was present at all, amounting to a war crime.

In Mariupol, we document how the Russian military likely deliberately targeted the Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre theatre despite knowing hundreds of civilians were sheltering there on 16 March, making the attack a clear war crime.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, said: “It is vital that all those responsible, including up the chain of command, are brought to justice.”

Victims and their families deserve justice.

We demand impartial justice over all war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

Both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court have opened cases against Russia. International law is an important part of the history of human rights wins. International law is a key way to achieve justice for victims.

The importance of international humanitarian and human rights law is not only relevant for the Ukraine crisis. From Syria to Myanmar, Palestine to Sierra Leone, Bosnia to Cambodia, international law safeguards human rights and holds perpetrators accountable.

Agnès Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International, said: “What is happening in Ukraine is a repetition of what we have seen in Syria.”

The Koblenz Trial held in Germany was historic. Syrian officials were tried and convicted for torture. However, it was a partial win, as the court did not provide the victims with compensation. This showed that justice is possible but it must be victim-centred. We must ensure the same is possible for Ukrainian families.

Mansour Omari, Syrian human rights defender said: “For many Syrians, especially victims of torture, the trial has had a significant symbolic and emotional impact.”

We welcome that the UK has committed humanitarian resources to ensure perpetrators are held to account. This includes support of the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and UN Human Rights Council. They can do much more and we will be pressing them on this.