International Mechanism Submissions

The Russian Federation backs the separatist rebels who control parts of Eastern Ukraine. Those rebels have established their own quasi-judicial proceedings by which individuals have been sentenced to death and executed. There are credible reports that those rebels, as well as “self-defense” militia groups in Crimea, are also engaging in extrajudicial and summary executions of civilians and Ukrainian soldiers. Russia has a due diligence obligation under the Covenant to prevent private parties such as these separatist rebels and “self-defense” groups, over whom the Russian Government is able to exert control, from violating Articles 6 and 14 of the Covenant.