UN Rights Office Urges Russia to Cease Attacks on Ukraine’s Energy Grid as Winter Sets In
GENEVA (29 November 2024) – The UN Human Rights Office on Tuesday urged the Russian Federation to cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid, warning that the targeting of civilian infrastructure amid freezing winter temperatures amounts to war crimes.
“The deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure that provides essential services, including electricity, heat, and water, is a clear violation of international law and may amount to war crimes,” said Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement.
He said that the escalation of attacks on energy infrastructure in recent weeks has resulted in widespread power outages and disruptions to water and heating systems, leaving millions of people without access to essential services during freezing temperatures.
“These attacks are causing immense suffering to the people of Ukraine, particularly the elderly, children, and those with disabilities,” Türk said. “They are also depriving them of their right to life and their right to an adequate standard of living.”
The High Commissioner called on the Russian authorities to immediately cease these attacks and to respect international humanitarian law.
“The targeting of civilian infrastructure is not only illegal but also inhumane,” Türk said. “It is causing immense suffering to the most vulnerable and putting their lives at risk.”
He also called on all parties to the conflict to respect the principles of distinction and proportionality in the conduct of hostilities, and to avoid targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The UN Human Rights Office continues to monitor the situation in Ukraine and to document violations of international law.
UN rights office urges Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid as winter sets in
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