Bill targets Russian war crimes documentation effort

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) recently introduced legislation that seeks to ensure America is undertaking coordinated efforts to collect and maintain war crimes evidence during the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Cornyn, the sponsor of the Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act (S. 4134), was joined by U.S. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Angus King (I-ME), Susan Collins (R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Boozman (R-AR), Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in detailing the bill.

“The reports of Russian war crimes coming out of Ukraine are sickening, and we must ensure these atrocities are properly documented,” Cornyn said. “The House of Representatives passed this legislation nearly unanimously, and it is imperative that the Senate quickly do the same so we can prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”

The legislation targets the process of evidence development and maintenance, per authorities, while not specifying a specific prosecution venue in which the evidence would be used.

“Throughout Vladimir Putin’s unjustified and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, Russian commanders and troops have committed innumerous horrific war crimes and atrocities against innocent civilians and they must be held accountable,” Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said. “I am proud to join the bipartisan Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act, which will ensure the U.S. is collecting and analyzing evidence of Russia’s war crimes, as well as identifying those responsible, in an effort to hold them accountable and possibly deter additional atrocities. We stand united in our efforts to bring these war criminals to justice.”