Russia-Ukraine war: UNHRC to probe Kremlin's alleged human rights breaches in Ukraine

As war rages on unabated in Ukraine,  United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Thursday, 12 May, voted to set up an inquiry into alleged human rights violations committed by Russian forces in Ukraine. UN Human Rights Council held a special session on human rights violations in Ukraine to hold perpetrators accountable. resolution was opted with 33 votes in favour, whereas two voted against it while 12 abstained from voting.

countries which voted in favour of resolution included US, Ukraine, UAE, Poland, France, UK, Finland, Qatar, Lithuania, Malaysia, Finland, Germany Indonesia, and Japan. Meanwhile, countries which voted against resolution were China and Eritrea whereas countries like Sudan, Cuba, Armenia, Uzbekistan, India, Namibia, Pakistan, Senegal, Kazakhstan, and Cameroon abstained from voting. UNHRC also reiterated its demand for an immediate cessation of Russia's military hostilities against Ukraine.

UNHRC asks nations to respect international humanitarian laws

It furr called on all parties to respect fundamental principles and rules of international humanitarian law and refrain from attacking civilians and committing human rights abuses, according to statement released by UN Human Rights Council. UNHRC called on Russia to give unhindered and safe access to representatives and staff of international human rights and humanitarian institutions, including United Nations to meet people who shifted from conflict-hit regions of Ukraine and were held on Russian territory or areas controlled by Russian forces.

Speaking at UNHRC's special session, Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated that her Office continued to verify allegations of violations of international human rights law in Ukraine, many of which she stressed, may amount to war crimes. She furr emphasised that cause of civilian casualties has not changed and most of m have been reported due to use of explosive weapons, as per statement released by UNHRC. Michelle Bachelet ded, "according to information, while such incidents could be attributed to both parties to conflict, most of se casualties appeared attributable to Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups." It is pertinent to mention here that after Russian troops started pulling out from Ukraine's Bucha and or regions, Ukrainian authorities have revealed tragedies inflicted by Moscow's forces in se regions. After Ukrainian authorities shared images depicting horrors caused by retreating Russian armed forces, several world leers condemned actions of Russian troops. 

Image: AP