Cassis under fire for weak response to Ukraine atrocities

The foreign minister, and current president, Ignazio Cassis, is being criticised for failing to condemn the atrocities committed by Russian troops in Ukraine – even when given two attempts.

On Sunday the ministry issued what is being considered a very mild statement which simply called on ‘all sides’ to adhere to international humanitarian law. 

Several party leaders say they believe that was too weak – Social Democrat member, Fabian Molina, summed up many opinions when he called it ‘insanely soft’. 

Then yesterday Cassis told the press that in diplomacy it’s important to keep a ‘cool head’ and says an independent investigation is needed to find out who is responsible for the atrocities. Notably avoiding the term – ‘war crimes.’ 

The former president of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, says when civilians are shot that’s a clear violation of international law and you should use plain language. 

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