“Human rights violations”: Britain has come up with another “excuse” against the peacekeeping contingent
29 April 13:34
The UK has found another obstacle to the full deployment of a peacekeeping combat unit in Ukraine. As it turned out, hypothetical British peacekeepers in Ukraine could be threatened with prosecution under European human rights laws, which could become an instrument of Russia’s “legal war.” This is stated in an article by The Telegraph, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
No need to worry – the contingent will not be a combat unit
The UK’s Shadow Defense Secretary James Cartlidge has called on Defense Secretary John Healey to consider a derogation from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for peacekeeping forces. He warned that Russia could use the legal system as a weapon against the British military, provoking clashes and then initiating human rights cases in London courts.
“We know that Russian citizens have skillfully used litigation in our courts. It is hard to believe that a significant British presence in Ukraine – whatever the specific role – would not attract potential threats of any kind,”
– Cartlidge said.
However, Defense Secretary Geeley has rejected these calls, despite concerns that it could create vulnerabilities for British soldiers. In a letter leaked to The Telegraph, he reassured that the British contingent would not be a combat unit, but would focus on training the Ukrainian military. Therefore, British soldiers will not be able to violate any human rights even by accident. In his response, Healy emphasized that compliance with the convention would not impede the achievement of the mission’s objectives.
“We expect the highest standards from our military personnel and we rightly hold them to account if they fail to meet those expectations. When the UK takes military action, it fully complies with UK and international law. We will pay due regard to the ECHR as we develop the details of the deployment of the ‘coalition of the willing’,”
– the minister said.
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From Napoleonic plans to a limited mission
The initially ambitious idea of a “coalition of the willing” sounded very loud and formidable, but has been significantly revised over time. As recently as last month, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the mission as a deterrent, stating that there would be British
“troops on the ground and aircraft in the sky”.
However, the concept has now changed slightly. In his letter, Healey indicated that the planning is focused on helping Ukraine
“rebuild a military capable of deterring future Russian aggression.”
The British troops are expected to be stationed in the western part of Ukraine, away from the border, and will mainly provide training support.
The Royal Air Force and Navy will also be ready to defend Ukraine’s airspace and territorial waters, but “according to reduced plans.” That is, they will only be ready to train Ukrainian soldiers.
International context of the mission deployment
Defense Secretary Gilli noted that the United Kingdom and France are leading a coalition of the willing “to support the United States in establishing a just and lasting peace.” These lame plans are nevertheless wrapped in a wrapper of loud, pompous words.
“We are clear that US support is crucial, but we also understand that Europe must take responsibility for our security,”
– he wrote.
Summary
Thus, the British initiative to send a peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine has evolved from the formula of “troops on the ground and planes in the air” to a training mission in the western regions. Even Russian human rights activists are standing in its way, accusing the British courts of human rights violations.
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