These “relentless” attacks are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country, destroying infrastructure and creating numerous socio-economic challenges, Mr. Türk said.
The Türk High Commissioner said that from March to May, 436 civilians were killed and 1,760 were injured.
“This high number of civilian casualties is largely due to ground and air attacks, including high-explosive aerial bombing, that took place in the Kharkiv region,” the rights chief said.
“Such attacks must stop immediately.“ .
An attack on energy
Leader OHCHR said Russian forces had targeted power generation and distribution systems, limiting Ukraine’s ability to provide electricity.
Millions of people are left without power, often for hours at a time, reducing access to water, internet and public transport. This affects jobs, tax revenues and weakens social protections, he said.
“But the worst may be yet to come.“Because energy companies and the Ukrainian government warn that the ongoing strikes have reduced the ability to carry out the repairs needed to heat homes during the winter,” Mr. Türk said.
Russian nationality
Mr. Türk said that OHCHR has recorded increased pressure to obtain Russian passports in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Without Russian citizenship, many older people are said to have difficulty accessing health care. As for parents, they have difficulty sending their children to school without Russian passports.
The head of the human rights body said this violated international humanitarian law.
Call for ceasefire
High Commissioner for Human Rights says escalation of war in Ukraine “cannot become the new norm“ .
Mr. Türk called on the Russian Federation to immediately stop the use of force against Ukraine and withdraw its troops from the occupied territories in the country.
He also called on the federal government to end the use of explosive weapons with a wide range of effects in densely populated areas.
“War is the worst enemy of human rights”, he said. “It must be avoided and peace must be found in accordance with uncharted and international law.”
“That is the most fervent wish of the Ukrainian people.“
