Ukraine: More than 1,500 children killed or injured, concern raised over forced migration
The Russian attacks overnight killed three people – including the girl’s mother – and wounded 11 others, according to news reports. It follows 17 reported attacks on the capital during May, and the fourth this week.
More than 1,500 killed, injured
Ms Brown expressed her condolences to the families of “over 1,500 children killed and injured in Ukraine” since Russia’s full-scale offensive began 15 months ago.
Ms. Brown added that the UN continues to closely follow reports of Ukrainian children being forcibly sent to Russia.
‘Heavy money’
The head of the UN Human Rights Watch in Ukraine, Matilda Bogner, pleaded on Thursday that “civilians, including children, continue to pay a heavy price” in the war.
“Behind every death is an immeasurable human tragedy. This must stop now,” he said.
According to UN monitors, six children have been killed and 34 injured in the month of May alone.
Cities and towns under attack
The mission said a total of 535 children had been killed and 1,047 injured since the start of the conflict. The majority – 87 per cent – of those injured were caused by “explosive weapons with wide area effects”, including artillery, missile and air strikes, and “weapons of war” also known as suicide drones.
The findings are consistent with previous warnings from the UN-appointed International Committee of Independence on Ukraine about Russian military forces carrying out attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas “with an apparent disregard for harm.” and civil punishment, failing to take the necessary precautions”.
“The attacks are indiscriminate and indiscriminate, in violation of international humanitarian law,” the commission wrote in March.
Effect on health
Bringing even more evidence of civilian suffering in war, two days ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 1,000Th attack on health in Ukraine since the full-scale Russian invasion.
The agency said this is the highest number ever recorded in any humanitarian emergency.
UN humanitarian chief Denise Brown also highlighted the “devastating impact” of the war on mental health and the well-being of children, “including the millions who have fled for their lives”.
He promised the humanitarian community support to the children of Ukraine “for as long as necessary.”
Uploading evidence of child deportations
The Committee of Investigation on Ukraine said in March that the cases of transportation and transportation of children that have been examined, are war crimes.
In the same month, the rights mission of the United Nations launched a report documenting the cases of children subjected to forced transfers, arbitrary detention, disappearance, torture and illegal treatment.
The report called on Russia to ensure that any evictions, including those of children, are carried out in full compliance with international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and to “adhere to the laws prohibition of changing the personal status of children displacement from Ukraine, including citizenship, and acceptable” during or immediately after an emergency, in line with international standards.
According to the allegations, on March 17, the UN-backed International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with possible war crimes by deportation and “illegal transfer” of children from occupied Ukraine.
