1/24
If, for whatever reason, you have lingering questions about Russia’s intentions in this war, let me remind you of what we know. This is the missile that killed dozens of civilians at a train station in Kramatorsk, as they attempted to flee the bloody war. #velshi
If, for whatever reason, you have lingering questions about Russia’s intentions in this war, let me remind you of what we know. This is the missile that killed dozens of civilians at a train station in Kramatorsk, as they attempted to flee the bloody war. #velshi
2/24
On the side of the missile that struck the station, and killed those civilians, including children, were the words, in Russian: “for the children”. No one knows who wrote those words or what they meant. Russia denies responsibility for the attack. #velshi
On the side of the missile that struck the station, and killed those civilians, including children, were the words, in Russian: “for the children”. No one knows who wrote those words or what they meant. Russia denies responsibility for the attack. #velshi
3/24
This comes just days after I stood right here and showed you some of the first images out of Bucha, Ukraine, where civilians were deliberately targeted - their bodies left dead in the streets. For one reason and one reason only: that they were Ukrainian. #velshi
This comes just days after I stood right here and showed you some of the first images out of Bucha, Ukraine, where civilians were deliberately targeted - their bodies left dead in the streets. For one reason and one reason only: that they were Ukrainian. #velshi
4/24
When you are killed, tortured, or kidnapped, as part of an organized effort, simply for being a member of an identifiable group - that *is* genocide. #velshi
When you are killed, tortured, or kidnapped, as part of an organized effort, simply for being a member of an identifiable group - that *is* genocide. #velshi
5/24
The 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention defines it as, “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” #velshi
The 1948 United Nations Genocide Convention defines it as, “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” #velshi
6/24
Many Western governments - including the United States - have been cautious about labeling Russia’s war crimes as genocide. #velshi
Many Western governments - including the United States - have been cautious about labeling Russia’s war crimes as genocide. #velshi
7/24
The UN convention doesn’t define how MANY people need to be subject to the enumerated crimes for something to cross the line into genocide, because the number doesn’t matter, only the *intent* of the perpetrators to destroy the targeted group does. #velshi
The UN convention doesn’t define how MANY people need to be subject to the enumerated crimes for something to cross the line into genocide, because the number doesn’t matter, only the *intent* of the perpetrators to destroy the targeted group does. #velshi
8/24
Genocide is often called the “crime of crimes”. It is humanity’s most depraved manifestation. The most notorious in modern history is the Holocaust. One of the most prolific in recent memory was Rwanda. #velshi
Genocide is often called the “crime of crimes”. It is humanity’s most depraved manifestation. The most notorious in modern history is the Holocaust. One of the most prolific in recent memory was Rwanda. #velshi
9/24
But, there are genocidal acts unfolding in countries around the globe - right now - of which you *may* be unaware. “Genocide Watch” tracks and rates levels of genocide, characterizing atrocities as a “watch”, a “warning” or an “emergency”. #velshi
But, there are genocidal acts unfolding in countries around the globe - right now - of which you *may* be unaware. “Genocide Watch” tracks and rates levels of genocide, characterizing atrocities as a “watch”, a “warning” or an “emergency”. #velshi
10/24
A genocide “emergency” is “declared when the genocidal process has reached the stage of genocidal massacres and other acts of genocide”. As of 2021, these are the countries under a Genocide Emergency. #velshi
A genocide “emergency” is “declared when the genocidal process has reached the stage of genocidal massacres and other acts of genocide”. As of 2021, these are the countries under a Genocide Emergency. #velshi
11/24
In Mali - Islamist militias and state security forces have killed thousands of civilians. #velshi
In Mali - Islamist militias and state security forces have killed thousands of civilians. #velshi
12/24
Yemen is the site of what the U.N. calls “the worst man-made humanitarian crisis of our time”, thanks to the bloody war between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. #velshi
Yemen is the site of what the U.N. calls “the worst man-made humanitarian crisis of our time”, thanks to the bloody war between the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Yemen’s Saudi-backed government. #velshi
13/24
In Iraq, ISIS has targeted not just Shia Muslims, but Christians and other minority groups like the Yazidis. #velshi
In Iraq, ISIS has targeted not just Shia Muslims, but Christians and other minority groups like the Yazidis. #velshi
14/24
In Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority is denied all rights and in 2017 Myanmar armed forces undertook a coordinated campaign of genocide and forced displacement of the Rohingyas. #velshi
In Myanmar, the Rohingya Muslim ethnic minority is denied all rights and in 2017 Myanmar armed forces undertook a coordinated campaign of genocide and forced displacement of the Rohingyas. #velshi
15/24
In Nigeria, the Muslim extremists Boko Haram targets civilians, especially Christian Nigerians. The group is known for kidnapping schoolgirls. #velshi
In Nigeria, the Muslim extremists Boko Haram targets civilians, especially Christian Nigerians. The group is known for kidnapping schoolgirls. #velshi
16/24
In the Central African Republic - both Christians and Muslims are killed and tortured by two warring militias because of their religious identity. #velshi
In the Central African Republic - both Christians and Muslims are killed and tortured by two warring militias because of their religious identity. #velshi
17/24
In the neighboring nation of Sudan, which includes Darfur, at least 450,000 ethnic Darfuri men and women have been killed since 2003. #velshi
In the neighboring nation of Sudan, which includes Darfur, at least 450,000 ethnic Darfuri men and women have been killed since 2003. #velshi
18/24
Afghanistan, which is now under Taliban rule. #velshi
Afghanistan, which is now under Taliban rule. #velshi
19/24
And lastly, in Syria, the Russian and Iranian sustained Assad regime AND militias that oppose that regime are both committing genocidal war crimes daily. #velshi
And lastly, in Syria, the Russian and Iranian sustained Assad regime AND militias that oppose that regime are both committing genocidal war crimes daily. #velshi
20/24
All of these countries are under a “Genocide Emergency” alert by Genocide Watch. Now look at what happens when you add all the countries that are under a “Genocide Warning” - meaning the genocidal process has reached the stages of preparation by perpetrators. #velshi
All of these countries are under a “Genocide Emergency” alert by Genocide Watch. Now look at what happens when you add all the countries that are under a “Genocide Warning” - meaning the genocidal process has reached the stages of preparation by perpetrators. #velshi
21/24
Ukraine is under a Genocide Warning, not an emergency, because these reports were conducted in 2021. President Biden has fallen short of accusing Russia of genocide in Ukraine. #velshi
Ukraine is under a Genocide Warning, not an emergency, because these reports were conducted in 2021. President Biden has fallen short of accusing Russia of genocide in Ukraine. #velshi
22/24
Possibly because a President cannot accuse another country of the gravest crime against humanity… and then do nothing about it. #velshi
Possibly because a President cannot accuse another country of the gravest crime against humanity… and then do nothing about it. #velshi
23/24
We are bearing witness to the unthinkable horrors being unleashed on Ukrainians because of who they are. When we don’t or can’t bear witness, when our lights and microphones can’t get in to see it, the death happens in the darkness. #velshi
We are bearing witness to the unthinkable horrors being unleashed on Ukrainians because of who they are. When we don’t or can’t bear witness, when our lights and microphones can’t get in to see it, the death happens in the darkness. #velshi
24/24
If we see it, and don’t call it out for what it is, and don’t take EVERY STEP WE CAN TAKE to stop it, what hope does the rest of the world’s victims of genocide, and impending genocide have? It’s not enough to not look away. It’s not enough to say, “never again.” #velshi
If we see it, and don’t call it out for what it is, and don’t take EVERY STEP WE CAN TAKE to stop it, what hope does the rest of the world’s victims of genocide, and impending genocide have? It’s not enough to not look away. It’s not enough to say, “never again.” #velshi
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
