Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 23rd Jan. UN human rights office in Geneva on Monday strongly condemned a weekend attack on the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine which left scores dead and injured, in a statement issued in New York
UN Security Council held a meeting to discuss the war between Russia and Ukraine that will mark its bloody 2 year anniversary next month.
According to OHCHR, 27 civilians were killed and a 25 injured in the Donetsk attacks that struck local markets and a nearby residential area in the city.
Spokesperson for OHCHR, Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement that OHCHR is trying to obtain more information about the attack, despite its lack of access to the city and other occupied areas in Ukraine.
“It is crucial that thorough, prompt and independent investigations be carried out to determine the facts and responsibility for this attack,” she said.
She said “The investigation should establish whether this attack violated applicable law on the conduct of hostilities, with a view to ensuring accountability.”
Ms. Shamdasani stressed the need to ensure strict respect for international humanitarian law and for the parties to the conflict to take all necessary precautions to protect civilians from harm.
Deputy UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo addressed the Council members and reiterated the “duty” of warring sides to protect civilians.
“This is an unambiguous obligation,” he said.
“Let me say it again: attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law. All such attacks must stop immediately.”
OHCHR has verified 10,287 civilians killed and a further 19,444 injured sine Russia’s full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. The actual figures are likely far higher.
Mr. Ebo said continued attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure were distressing, added that the use of aerial drones and missiles had resulted in many deaths and injuries.
“Just like any other weapons or weapons systems, armed uncrewed aerial vehicles and missiles must not be used in a manner inconsistent with international humanitarian law,” he said.
He reiterated the UN Secretary-General’s call on all States to help prevent further escalation and bring about sustainable peace.
“The only way to end the suffering and devastation is by ending this war,” Mr. Ebo said.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya criticized Russia for calling for “yet another UN Security Council meeting to criticize lawful arms transfers to Ukraine that are done in support of Ukraine’s inherent right of self-defence.”
“This meeting today is another attempt by the Russian Federation to distract from its war of aggression against Ukraine and its intensified campaign of systematic air strikes killing civilians and destroying critical infrastructure,” he said at a press stakeout, with dozens of ambassadors and representatives of other nations and the European Union.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in a meeting of the Council said that “the absolute majority of unbiased experts” see clearly that the key factor impeding peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis “is the continued support on the part of the west to the regime in Kyiv.”
He said this is “despite the fact that is obviously in agony and it is incapable of attaining the goal set to it, namely to inflict strategic defeat on Russia,”.
Sergey Lavrov added that the reality is that “despite the complete failure” of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the battlefield, “western patrons of the Kyiv regime” continue to push them towards a senseless military confrontation.
OCHA said the war continues to inflict “immeasurable human suffering” and putting millions at risk of serious violations and generating grave humanitarian needs.
It added that millions across Ukraine have been forced from their homes, including nearly six million living as refugees outside its borders.
OCHA noted that prolonged displacement has pushed many to the brink.
In 2024, 14.6 million people – about 40 per cent of the Ukrainian population – require humanitarian assistance, OCHA said.
UN agencies and partners to reach 8.5 million people with aid, focused on the most severe needs and prioritizing communities on the front-line and neighboring areas, OCHA emphasized.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child, a body of 18 independent experts monitoring implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by its States parties is discussing the treatment and conditions facing children in Russia, including the fate of Ukrainian children allegedly deported to Russia during the course of the conflict.
It Will hold discussions with Government representatives as well as review reports and submissions made by Russia and NGOs.
Committee will review the situations in the Congo, Bulgaria, Senegal, Lithuania and South Africa at its ongoing session, including Russia which concludes next week.
