Geneva, In a poignant plea, United Nations experts have urged the international community to intensify efforts to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the urgency of establishing peace in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. This appeal comes as the world marks the second anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has caused widespread devastation and human suffering.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the statement issued by UN experts highlights the dire situation faced by millions of civilians caught in the crossfire. The experts underscored the devastating impact of the war on everyday life, noting the absence of normalcy amid killings, tortures, forced disappearances, sexual assaults, and the widespread destruction of homes, hospitals, schools, and cultural heritage.
The statement calls attention to the brutal realities of war, affecting everyone, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society, including children and the elderly. The experts expressed concern over the enduring trauma and the potential for increased suffering and destruction as the conflict continues without a resolution in sight.
Emphasizing the need for peace to be established urgently, the experts reminded that war and aggression stand in stark contrast to the foundational principles of human coexistence, human rights, and the UN Charter. They pledged their support for all international efforts aimed at securing a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, ensuring the protection of human rights for all.
Accountability for alleged war crimes and atrocities is deemed essential by the experts, who call for rehabilitation, recovery, and redress for victims and survivors, as well as respect for minority rights. They stressed the importance of locating the missing and disappeared, releasing prisoners of war, and repatriating those forcibly deported, including Ukrainian children, as critical steps towards peace, reconciliation, and justice.
Highlighting the grim statistics, the experts noted that Russia’s invasion has resulted in over 10,000 civilian deaths, approximately 20,000 civilian injuries, and countless combatant casualties. The humanitarian crisis has left 18 million people in need of assistance, representing nearly 40% of Ukraine’s population, with millions displaced within the country and about 6 million seeking refuge abroad.
The experts concluded by underscoring the global ramifications of the conflict, which has disrupted businesses, supply chains, and led to soaring prices of essential commodities, contributing to a severe cost of living crisis worldwide.