Deputy Prime Minister Christia Freeland has said Canada is committed to seeking justice for Ukrainian women and children as allegations of sexual violence by Russian soldiers increase.
Freeland was asked on Thursday about war crimes that Russia has accused of committing Ukrainian citizens and using sexual violence as a weapon of war.
“War crimes have been committed in Ukraine, they are being committed in Ukraine. The evidence we saw in Bucha and other parts of Ukraine that were under Russian occupation is absolutely appalling,” Freeland said after a tour of a carbon capture facility in Calgary.
“I want to take a moment to emphasize that one of the things that is happening is the systematic rape of Ukrainian women and children.”
“Rape is used as a weapon”
Freeland said Canada would work with its Democratic allies to prosecute the perpetrators.
“Rape is being used as a weapon in this war, and I want women in Ukraine to know that we see them, we will not forget, and we will work with Ukraine and our democratic allies around the world to bring the perpetrators to justice,” she said.
Freeland, who is also finance minister, said she spoke with her Ukrainian counterpart on Thursday to offer support to Canada.
She also said it was appropriate to describe the Russian occupation as an act of genocide – as did US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – as thousands of Ukrainians were killed and brutal.
Freeland cited a “freezing document” on a Russian website published 10 days ago, “which effectively sets out a plan for genocide in Ukraine calling for suffering, the punishment of people who have chosen, according to this document, wrongly and erroneously identified as Ukrainians.”
“This called for the word Ukraine to be erased,” she added.
Freeland said the Russian occupation was a struggle between democracy and dictatorship and that it was in Canada’s interest to support Ukraine.
“Honestly, we are really lucky that the Ukrainians are prepared so bravely to fight in this battle for us that they are ready to stand there and die in this battle,” she said.
Up to 150 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are stationed in Poland to assist in the care, coordination and resettlement of Ukrainian refugees.
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