8,400 civilians died from the war in Ukraine

The United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights, Türk, delivered a speech on the situation in Ukraine in the framework of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Stating that gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Russia’s war against Ukraine “have become shockingly routine,” Türk shared data on the ongoing war since February 2022.

Türk said: “While 8,400 civilian deaths have been confirmed so far, more than 14,000 civilians have been injured. These numbers are just the tip of the iceberg.” saying.

Noting that since the beginning of the war, the Human Rights Office has documented numerous “extrajudicial killings” and “targeted attacks” against civilians in areas of Ukraine under attack by Russian military forces, including affiliated armed groups such as the Wagner Group, and added that “621 arbitrary arrests in this process” and forced disappearance,” he said.

Türk said: “According to the interview with 89 civilians, 91 percent of the detainees were tortured or ill-treated by Russian personnel. Five of the victims of enforced disappearance are men and one is just 14 years old. All 5 of these children were subjected to torture and mistreatment.” he said.

Noting that 109 cases of sexual violence involving Russian personnel were documented, Türk noted that most of them took place in places of detention, and three of them were against girls under the age of 18.

Türk also stated that 91 cases of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention by Ukrainians were documented.

Noting that 53 percent of the 73 victims interviewed said they were tortured or ill-treated by Ukrainian personnel, Türk stated that 24 cases of sexual violence involving Ukrainians were recorded.

“IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE GRAINS BROKER”

Türk said that the Human Rights Office interviewed more than 400 prisoners of war from both sides and that 90 percent of Ukrainian prisoners were tortured or ill-treated, while this rate was around 50 percent for Russian prisoners.

Stating that they are experiencing the most serious problems related to the global cost of living crisis, Türk said that it harms the lives and livelihoods of an estimated 1.6 billion people and threatens stability in many countries.

Türk also emphasized that the Grain Corridor Agreement is very important to continue supporting global food security and for the lives of tens of millions of people around the world. (AA)