UN rights chief terms Mariupol 'most deadliest' place as 1348 civilian deaths get verified

UN rights chief lamented extent of death and destruction in Ukraine’s port city of Mariupol and stated grim pictures clearly exhibit war crimes committed by Russian forces in war-torn country. While speaking before UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Michelle Bachelet said evidence found by UN agency suggests serious international law violations by Russian troops. " intensity and extent of hostilities, destruction and death and injury strongly suggest that serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross violations of international human rights law have occurred," she said. 

According to Bachelet, Russian armed forces assumed full control over Mariupol, except for Azovstal plant area in last week of April and stressed UN agency found that more than 90% of residential buildings were damaged or destroyed in region. Besides, she claimed that her staff h verified 1,348 civilian deaths in city, including 70 children. Citing report of UNHCR, she said around 3,50,000 people left city amid fears of being killed. UN rights chief said that deaths were caused by air strikes, tank and artillery shelling and small arms and light weapons during street fighting. She said that actual death toll of hostilities on civilians is likely higher than it appears.

Bachelet terms Ukraine's atre attack most "emblematic examples" of harm caused to civilians

UN rights chief noted that humanitarian situation is devastating, with civilians continuing to bear brunt of ongoing conflict. Bachelet recalled how a Russian air attack on Mariupol drama atre on March 16 killed hundreds of women and children. " atre h hundreds of civilians hiding inside with signs clearly marked “children”, visible from sky. It stands out among very deliest and most emblematic examples of harm caused to civilians.

She said that local authorities have found a number of bodies in yards, streets, parks, and apartments. "Many are still to be buried," according to Bachelet. Calling current situation direr, she underscored that a shattered and depleted city is left, with its remaining residents struggling daily with limited access to basic utilities and social services, such as medical care. 
"People cannot leave and return to city freely, including those who left Mariupol in April or March," she noted.

Image: AP