The Russian Authorities Express Opposition Towards Clooney's Foundation
Actor George Clooney and his spouse Amal, through their foundation, are chastising human rights violations, such as Russian atrocities in Ukraine. Russia's standard response follows suit: harsh condemnation and suppression.
The Clooney Foundation has been labeled an "unwelcome entity" in Russia. As per Russian media outlets, the Prosecutor General's Office stated, "The foundation is employing Hollywood tactics to tarnish Russia's reputation." They accuse the foundation of backing 'fake patriots' who have deserted the nation, along with members of banned extremist and terrorist groups.
The Clooney Foundation for Justice is dedicated to combating human rights infringements. This politically active Hollywood star established the foundation with his wife, the renowned lawyer Amal Clooney.
In October, the foundation presented allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine to the Federal Prosecutor's Office. Their investigators discovered proof of war crimes in three instances, based on victim or family testimonies, along with photos, videos, and satellite images.
Claims of Torture and Assault on Civilians
This encompasses a rocket strike on a tourist area in the Odessa region, where numerous civilians were reportedly killed and wounded during the summer of 2022. In a second case, Russian ground forces were accused of torturing and executing four men in the occupied Kharkiv region between March and September 2022. The third case implicated commanders of Russian units who were allegedly involved in executions, torture, sexual assault, and looting during the Kyiv region's occupation in March 2022.
Under the International Law Crimes Code, the Federal Prosecutor General in Germany has the authority to investigate certain crimes, regardless of where they were committed. This stems from the concept of universal jurisdiction: war criminals should not find sanctuary anywhere in the world.
Being classified as an "unwelcome entity" in Russia essentially equates to a ban. Critics contend that Russia's law on unwelcome entities lacks a solid legal foundation, as it's unclear what actions lead to such a classification. Since the outbreak of the conflict, Russia has designated numerous organizations as unwelcome, including foundations and the reputable German Historical Institute.
George Clooney and his wife, Amal, have faced criticism from Russian media outlets, who accuse the Clooney Foundation for Justice of employing Hollywood tactics to tarnish Russia's reputation. The foundation has been investigating alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine and presented evidence to German authorities, highlighting George Clooney's continued activism against human rights violations.
