The UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide has said there is indication of hundreds of victims deliberately targeted in Bucha, Ukraine, which points to “very serious signs of possible commission of war crimes”.
UN Special Adviser Alice Wairimu Nderitu, expressing her dismay and condemnation at the disturbing events in Bucha, echoed messages by the Secretary-General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ukraine for an immediate ceasefire.
Nderitu, in a statement on Wednesday, April 6, also called for an effective and independent investigation leading to criminal accountability over the killing of civilians in Bucha.
The Special Adviser also reiterated her call for the intensification of diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and for the protection of civilians and the extension of humanitarian corridors.
Ukraine has accused Russia troops of civilian massacre in Bucha after bodies were found on the streets and homes after they withdrew on Saturday.
Mayor Anatolii Fedoruk said Wednesday that more than 320 civilians were killed,
The Special Adviser reminded the parties of their obligations under international human rights and international humanitarian law and called on them to abide by those obligations in the conduct of their operations.
“Only the end of hostilities will bring peace to the homes of terrorized citizens, but even in conflict they should never be deliberately targeted. International law must be upheld at all times,” Nderitu said.
At the same time, she warned of the impact of this crisis in other regions in Europe.
“Specifically, thirty years since the start of the military siege of Sarajevo, she called on all actors in position of responsibility to strengthen efforts for prevention in the region of the Western Balkans, in light of existing concerns and grievances from the painful legacy of the past being exacerbated by dynamics of deterioration associated to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” the stamenet said.
Special Adviser Nderitu also alluded to a number of international actors alerting of the risk of ‘spill-over’ from Ukraine to other regions in Eastern and East-Central Europe.
Kenya calls for impartial UN probe into Bucha killings in Ukraine
