Russia's war on Ukraine opens 'new, dangerous chapter in world history': UN rights chief

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) - Russia's war on Ukraine has opened a new and dangerous chapter in world history, the UN human rights chief said on Thursday.

Most of the casualties in Ukraine have been due to heavy artillery, multi-launch rocket systems, and airstrikes in populated areas, with concerning reports of cluster munitions striking civilian targets, said Michele Bachelet.

In the opening address at an urgent Human Rights Council debate requested by Ukraine on the "situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression" Bachelet said more than 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the war began on Feb. 24.

"By Tuesday night, my Office had recorded and confirmed 752 civilian casualties, including 227 killed -- 15 of them children," said Bachelet.

She said at least 525 people had been injured, including 28 children.

"I must emphasize that the real figures will be far higher since numerous other casualties are pending confirmation," said the chief of the Human Rights Office.

Military operations are escalating, she warned, noting military strikes on and near large cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Lysychansk, Sievierodonetsk, Sumy, Mariupol, Zhytomyr, and the capital, Kyiv.

The town of Volnovakha in the Donetsk region is nearly destroyed by shelling and its remaining residents have been hiding in basements, said Bachelet.

"Massive damage to residential buildings has been inflicted. The use of weapons with wide-area effects in densely populated urban areas is inherently indiscriminate, and I call for the immediate cessation of such force," she added.

According to Bachelet, a significant number of civilian objects have also taken substantial damage. These include a hospital, schools, and kindergartens.

Essential infrastructure has been heavily damaged, cutting off critical supplies and services such as electricity, water, and access to health care, she said.

- Russians near Kherson

Bachelet said that on Saturday, Russian troops near Kherson reportedly fired on an ambulance transporting seriously wounded victims, killing the driver and injuring a paramedic.

"Over 2 million people have been forced to flee their homes. One million, according to UNHCR estimates, are internally displaced," said Bachelet.

"A further 1,040,000 refugees have sought safety in neighboring countries in the past seven days -- often after traveling for days by bicycle or on foot, in freezing conditions."

The UN Refugee Agency has estimated that up to 4 million people could leave the country in the coming weeks if the conflict continues, stressed the Human Rights chief.

Bachelet commended the welcome Ukrainians leaving the country have received in neighboring countries, saying such treatment should be extended to all those fleeing conflict regardless of citizenship, ethnicity, migration, or other status.

However, she said: "There have been disturbing indications of discrimination against African and Asian nationals while fleeing, and the office will be observing this situation."

"Tens of millions of people remain in the country, in potentially mortal danger. I am deeply concerned that the current escalation of military operations will further heighten the harm they face.

"Thousands of people, including older people, pregnant women, as well as children and people with disabilities, are being forced to gather in underground shelters and subway stations to escape explosions," said Bachelet.

She said many vulnerable people are separated from their families and effectively trapped.

"My staff in Ukraine have been contacted by several groups who fear persecution if Russian troops advance, including members of the Crimean Tatar community in mainland Ukraine, as well as prominent human rights defenders and journalists," said Bachelet.