The US has written to the highest United Nations human rights official that it has "credible data" that Russian forces are figuring out Ukrainians "to be killed or despatched to camps" if it additional invades Ukraine and occupies it.
Bathsheba Nell Crocker, US Consultant to the Workplace of the United Nations and Different Worldwide Organisations in Geneva, made the allegations in a letter to Michelle Bachelet, the UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights, in response to the Washington Put up.
"Disturbing data not too long ago obtained by america that signifies that human rights violations and abuses within the aftermath of an additional invasion are being deliberate," Ms Crocker wrote.
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"These acts, which in previous Russian operations have included focused killings, kidnappings/pressured disappearances, unjust detentions, and using torture, would probably goal those that oppose Russian actions, together with Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and susceptible populations reminiscent of non secular and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ individuals," the letter obtained by CNN learn.
"Particularly, we now have credible data that signifies Russian forces are creating lists of recognized Ukrainians to be killed or despatched to camps following a army occupation.
"We even have credible data that Russian forces will probably use deadly measures to disperse peaceable protests or in any other case counter peaceable workouts of perceived resistance from civilian populations," the letter mentioned.
The letter didn't say how the US obtained the data.
The Workplace of the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights confirmed that it acquired the message.
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Ms Crocker added that the goal for sharing this data with the Workplace of the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights was to offer "an early warning that a additional Russian invasion of Ukraine could create a human rights disaster".
She mentioned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised these issues to the Safety Council on February 17.
"Specifically, he said that america has data that signifies Russia will goal particular teams of Ukrainians," Ms Crocker added.
The Kremlin denied the declare concerning a kill checklist and known as it "absolute fiction".
"That is an absolute hoax, it is a lie," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov instructed CNN.
Pressed on if he's conscious of the existence of such an inventory, Mr Peskov mentioned, "I do know that that is absolute fiction, there isn't any such checklist, it's faux information."
CNN reported on Friday that a number of US and western authorities officers confirmed to CNN that the US has intelligence that Russia has drawn up lists of present political figures that it might goal for elimination within the occasion it invades Ukraine and topples the present authorities in Kyiv.
Sources acquainted with the intelligence mentioned the goal lists are a part of Russian planning to exchange the present administration in Kyiv with a extra Russia-friendly authorities, bolstering a earlier disclosure by the British authorities figuring out pro-Moscow figures it mentioned Russia deliberate to put in.
The more than likely consequence for these politicians and public figures whom Moscow has focused to be ousted within the occasion Kyiv falls, these sources mentioned to CNN, is jail or assassination.
CNN has not seen the underlying intelligence intercepts or the paperwork that identify the targets or the purported collaborators and their supposed positions in a pro-Russia administration.
Mr Blinken mentioned on CBS's Face the Nation over the weekend that the US would proceed supporting Ukrainians if there may be an invasion and a Ukrainian insurgency is left to battle".
"(President Joe Biden) mentioned that we are going to, within the occasion of an invasion, double down on our assist for Ukraine, and which means when it comes to safety help, financial help, diplomatic help, political help, humanitarian help, you identify it," Mr Blinken mentioned.