“Genocide”- MP holds Putin to account for barbaric crimes
Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has stated during a Westminster debate that Putin’s actions can only amount to genocide of the Ukrainian people.
Speaking in Parliament, Moore cited the horrendous war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people in Mariupol, Bucha, and beyond. These crimes include the murder of civilians, enforced disappearances, deportations, imprisonment, torture, rape and the desecration of corpses. In light of such horrific circumstances, Moore mentioned the strong case for what could amount to genocide against the Ukrainian people, and pledged to “support any attempts to hold this barbaric leader accountable for those despicable crimes.”
The United Kingdom has led the way in supporting Ukraine during this conflict. It was the very first country to start sending weapons to Ukraine, and has managed the delivery of equipment from other countries as well. As a result, the Ukrainian Army is now equipped with hundreds of thousands of British supplied weapons. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also the first G7 leader to personally visit Ukrainian President Zelensky in Kyiv. During the visit, he announced another package of support, with provision supplied to Ukraine soon to reach the amount of approximately £450 million.
In his speech, Moore was also sure to praise the incredible work done locally to support the Ukrainian people. The Keighley Ukrainian Association and The Good Shepherd Centre have partnered to accumulate over 40 tonnes of donations for those fleeing Ukraine, thought to be one of the biggest donation packages in the country, which was driven by volunteers to the Polish border. In Ilkley, the organisation ‘Ilkley and Surrounds Support for Ukrainian Evacuees’ have, in a short space of time, done an amazing job to support refugees arriving in the local area, including finding healthcare and education settings for children who have fled the conflict. Moore mentioned the group in a parliamentary question to Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who reaffirmed the Government’s support for such organisations.
Moore has been personally meeting with Home Office Officials regularly this week to get updates for his constituents who have offered to house Ukrainian refugees.
Robbie Moore MP said: “Vladimir Putin has blood on his hands. His actions in Mariupol, Bucha, and beyond suggest clear evidence of war crimes against the Ukrainian people. As Putin’s military aggression continues against the people of Ukraine, with reports involving murders of civilians, torture, and rape, there is in my mind a strong case for saying that Putin’s actions have gone well beyond war crimes and that acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people is happening.
Putin must and will fail, but until he does, we will be at the side of the Ukrainian people every step for the way. Nationally, we are leading the world in support for the Ukrainian Government and Army, with hundreds of thousands of pieces of military equipment supplied to the Ukrainian military. I was delighted to hear both the Prime Minister, whilst visiting Kyiv, and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss confirm this will continue, with a further 6000 anti-tank weapons and 10,000 missiles to be provided to Ukraine.
This goodwill is present locally, and I was delighted to mention the work done by, amongst others, The Keighley Ukrainian Association, The Good Shepherd Centre and The Ilkley and Surrounds Support for Ukrainian Evacuees, in Parliament to praise their efforts. I am of course not surprised by the goodwill showed by our local community, yet this compassion still makes me so proud to be the MP for Keighley and Ilkley.”
