UN rights chief 'horrified' at images of dead civilians in Bucha, Ukraine

By Peter Kenny

GENEVA (AA) – The UN human rights chief said Monday she is "horrified" after seeing images of civilians lying dead on the streets or lying in improvised graves in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, near the capital Kyiv.

Michelle Bachelet's comments came as the UN upped its death civilian toll since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, to 1,430 and 2,097 injured, noting that casualties are likely much higher and that more than 4.21 million have fled the fighting to neighboring countries.

"Reports emerging from this and other areas raise serious and disturbing questions about possible war crimes, grave breaches of international humanitarian law, and serious violations of international human rights law," said Bachelet.

"I am horrified by the images of civilians lying dead on the streets and in improvised graves in the town of Bucha in Ukraine."

She said it is essential that all bodies are exhumed and identified so that the victims' families can be informed, the exact causes of death established, and everything should be done to preserve evidence.

"It is vital that all efforts are made to ensure there are independent and effective investigations into what happened in Bucha to ensure truth, justice, and accountability, as well as reparations and remedy for victims and their families," said Bachelet.

Osnat Lubrani, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, called for an immediate cease-fire and an independent investigation leading to effective accountability.

- 'Horrifying violence'

"We are all devastated by the images of people who have been killed and reports of horrifying violence against civilian men, women, and children in Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel near Kyiv and in other parts of Ukraine where they are caught in the hostilities," said Lubrani in a statement.

He said the disturbing reports and videos raise questions about grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

The Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine is trying to visit these locations without delay.

"Anyone who has been engaged in violence against civilians must be held to account under international human rights and humanitarian law. An independent investigation is critical to determine the extent of these crimes and to ensure that the perpetrators are held to account," said Lubrani.

He said Ukrainians have been enduring a "living hell of war for more than a month."

"Thousands of civilians have died, and many more children, women, elderly and people with disabilities are trapped by constant shelling, mined roads, without food, water or safe exit from besieged cities."

The UN is calling for "humanitarian pauses" for civilians to leave safely so life-saving relief supplies can be brought in for them.

Russia on Sunday dismissed footage allegedly showing dead civilians in Bucha as "fake" and a "provocation."

The UN said it had counted 59 children killed since the war began but added that the Ukraine Prosecutor-General's Office said that 161 children had been killed and more than 264 injured.

The Russian war against Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24, has been met with international outrage, with the European Union, US, and the UK among others implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.