Russia’s invasion of Ukraine serious human rights violations are “outrageously commonplace” and diverts attention from existential threats to humanity’s survival, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned this Friday.
In an intervention at the UN Human Rights Council, Turk denounced the “appalling abuses” committed since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 13 months ago, and warned that the conflict “continues to provoke repercussions around the world”.
Turk indicated that the sharp increases in the price of food, energy and other commodities “have exacerbated tensions and inequalities in all regions”.
“More than 8,400 civilians were killed,” the UN says. And these numbers are “the bridge of the iceberg”
The High Commissioner further stated that the conflict escalates “the world’s most serious cost-of-living crisis in a generation” that has pushed at least 71 million people into poverty.
He drew attention to the risks of the Zaporijia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, 37 years after the Chernobyl disaster.
“Another Ukrainian nuclear power plant, in Zaporijia, remains exposed to enormous risk, potentially affecting millions of people,” he stressed.
“At a time when humanity faces enormous existential challenges, this destructive war takes us away from the work of building solutions, from the work of ensuring our survival,” Turk said.
The High Commissioner also gave an update on the data on Ukraine. The lead delegation confirmed that since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022, more than 8,400 civilians have been killed and more than 14,000 injured. “These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg,” he warned.
Turk said most of the victims were killed by Russian forces using high explosives in residential areas.
Source: DN
