More than 900 international peacebuilding, law and environment experts will be attending Thursday’s meeting. Beware that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine poses “There are serious risks” to the environment of Ukraine and the greater European region, in addition to the risks the conflict poses to the sovereignty and human rights of the Ukrainian people.
The letter released Thursday first stated that the undersigned experts and organizations stood in solidarity with the Ukrainian people “in the face of an aggressive invasion of their country by the Russian Federation in clear violation of international law and the fundamental right of the Ukrainian people to democratic self-determination.” The letter then went on to discuss the “potentially catastrophic environmental impacts” of the conflict.
The letter expressed concern over Russia’s seizure Chernobyl. It stated that other sites, like any of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear reactors, are also at risk. International Atomic Energy Agency reportedMissile strikes have been made near other radioactive waste disposal sites. Also, attacks have caused fires in fuel storage zones and a pipeline. BrokenKharkiv was affected by the conflict. According to the letter, these actions, including damage to infrastructure, “are clear violations of international law.”
The organizations and experts below called on Russia to immediately cease attacking and fighting near chemical and nuclear facilities. They also called upon the international community to protect environmental defenders in Ukraine and to mobilize resources for “remote rapid environmental assessment of the conflict.” The letter ended with a call for relevant authorities to monitor and investigate potential violations of human rights and environmental international law.
The Office of the UN High Commissar for Human Rights was also present. ConfirmedIn the first week of conflict, 802 civilian casualties occurred in Ukraine. 249 people were killed and 553 others were injured among the 802 casualties. The UN Human Rights Council adopted a Friday resolution.resolutionto create the Independent International Commission of Inquiry. This commission will investigate alleged violations of human rights by the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
