On the anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine
Juanita Beltran / GICJ
A year has passed since Russian forces launched at 5:07 am a series of missile attacks against locations near Kyiv, and long-range artillery against the northeastern city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border. At 8:00 am, streams of vehicles were reported to cross the border heading to the west, away from the widespread terror implanted by the Russian troops. However, many civilians stayed in the capital, looking for shelter in subway stations.
Between the 24th of February 2022, to the 15th of February 2023, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has reported 21,293 civilian casualties in 1,141 settlements across Ukraine, including 8,006 killed and 13,287 injured [1]. Despite the efforts made by UN mechanisms, the war has perpetuated lifelong trauma for the many victims, caused many atrocities and innumerable violations of international humanitarian law and human rights.
The human cost of war lays bare the suffering and pain inflicted on Ukrainians since the Russian invasion. The lives of millions of Ukrainians have turned from the enjoyment of everyday life to the materialization of an authoritarian narrative steeped in terror. Survival became the only objective for the population.
The repression against Ukrainians must come to an end. Urgently. This date marks a strong reminder to the international community that the clock is ticking. War has provoked regional instability, global tensions, famine, and crisis beyond the theatre of conflict. Action needs to be taken to cease all hostilities and for Russian forces to retreat behind the internationally recognized borders – borders that cannot be changed unilaterally by force. If this is not achieved, the consequences could be far worse for humanity as a whole.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) condemns the atrocities and human rights violations committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. We implore the international community to redouble its efforts to end the war at all levels and bring peace to the victims. Ukrainians deserve a joyful life without fearing bombs exploding nearby, nor planning strategies to spend the night in bunkers. Finally, we severely denounce the narratives of terror of Russian mandataries that have led to the further escalation and support of this war. May peace prevail in Ukraine.
Ukraine, anniversary, war, conflict, GICJ, human rights, Geneva4justice,
References [1] United Nations, 2023 Civilian casualities in Ukraine from 23 February 2022 to 15 February 2023, Esplanadna 20, Kyiv, Ukraine
