Congress must recognize Russia’s genocide in Ukraine

The devastation and horror unfolding in Ukraine demand our immediate attention and action. Russian forces are committing atrocities that are not mere acts of war but constitute a systematic campaign of genocide. It is imperative that the U.S. Congress officially recognize these heinous actions for what they are.

House Resolution 154, which we have introduced and is co-sponsored by 42 of our colleagues, calls for the designation of these Russian atrocities as genocide. We urge our fellow members of Congress to support this resolution and stand firmly on the side of justice and humanity.

The evidence of genocide in Ukraine is irrefutable. Russian forces have engaged in widespread and deliberate targeting of civilians, including the systematic execution of innocent people, the obliteration of entire communities and the intentional destruction of vital infrastructure. In liberated areas, mass graves and torture chambers have been discovered. Hospitals, schools and shelters have been bombed with calculated precision, aiming to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people.

One of the most egregious aspects of this campaign is the abduction and forced relocation of Ukrainian civilians, including children, into Russian “filtration” camps. These camps are places of terror where individuals are subjected to brutal conditions, forced assimilation — or worse.

The aim is clear: to erase the Ukrainian identity and people. This is not merely a war crime; it is genocide. The trauma inflicted on these individuals and their families is profound and long-lasting, contributing to a deliberate attempt to dismantle the very fabric of Ukrainian society.

The evidence of Russia committing genocide is so clear, in part, because President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials have been unabashed about their genocidal intent, at times bragging about their attempts to erase Ukraine from the map.

Putin and other officials have repeatedly denied the existence of Ukraine as a sovereign state and boasted about “rescuing” Ukrainian children by abducting them from their homes and families, propagating dangerous and false narratives that dehumanize Ukrainians. Russian soldiers act on this rhetoric in a systematic way, and their actions perfectly align with the definition of genocide outlined in the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, to which both the U.S. and Russia are signatories.

House Resolution 154, which calls for the official recognition of Russian actions as genocide based on well-documented evidence and the Convention’s criteria, is a vital step in acknowledging the reality of what is happening in Ukraine. These criteria include killing members of a group, causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to destroy the group, preventing births within the group and forcibly transferring children. The atrocities in Ukraine meet all these criteria.

Recognizing these actions as genocide is more than a symbolic gesture. It is a powerful statement of solidarity with the Ukrainian people and a commitment to justice. It sends a clear message to the world that the U.S. will not stand by in the face of such barbarity. This designation can galvanize further international support for Ukraine, isolate the Russian regime and strengthen global resolve against such crimes. Additionally, it can help in documenting these atrocities and ensuring accountability for the perpetrators.

Moreover, this recognition will make clear to the American people the nature, scope and gravity of the situation in Ukraine. By declaring the true genocidal nature of Russia’s actions, we can unify Americans around the moral imperative to support Ukraine. Americans proudly stand for the defense of human rights and the principles of justice and freedom, and we must continue to do so in the face of such egregious violations.

The 1948 Genocide Convention obliges us not only to punish but also to prevent genocide. If we are to live up to this commitment, we must act decisively now. Ongoing legal investigations are essential, but they must be complemented by prompt action to stop the genocide from progressing to its horrific intended conclusion.

House Resolution 154 is a crucial part of this effort. It underscores our nation’s dedication to preventing atrocities and ensuring that those who commit such crimes are held accountable. We commend our colleagues who have already co-sponsored this resolution and urge the rest of Congress to join us. We call upon every member of Congress to support House Resolution 154 and its companion in the Senate.

By recognizing the Russian atrocities as genocide, we affirm our commitment to international law and human rights. The weight of mounting evidence points clearly to a genocide underway, and posterity will judge us by our actions during this crucial moment. It is our duty to our principles, to our obligations under the Genocide Convention and to history to formally recognize what we already know to be true.

Let us stand united in declaring that the U.S. will not turn a blind eye to genocide. Let us show the world that we are committed to justice, human dignity and the protection of the innocent. Together, we can make a difference and help bring an end to the suffering in Ukraine.

Rep. Joe Wilson is the chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. Rep. Steve Cohen is the House ranking member of the Helsinki Commission.