GENEVA: A resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday urged Russia to “cease all actions” at Ukraine’s nuclear facilities, including the site of the Chernobyl disaster, following the invasion.
Meanwhile, the UN human rights chief has warned that all of humanity is at risk from the nuclear threat levels following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, while the global body’s aid chief demanded safe passage guarantees for humanitarian workers so they could access areas where fighting was most intense.
A day earlier, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi called for an immediate end to the conflict, saying this was “the best action to ensure the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities”.
Last week, he also cited reports that Russian soldiers were close to the Zaporizhzhia station in eastern Ukraine, the country’s largest.
Rights chief warns of ‘nuclear’ threat to humanity; head of aid seeks safety guarantees for humanitarian staff
The resolution at the board of the governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also “deplores the Russian Federation’s actions in Ukraine, including forcefully seizing control of nuclear facilities and other violent actions”.
Threat to humanity
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Michelle Bachelet warned that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “is generating massive impact on the human rights of millions of people across Ukraine”.
“Elevated threat levels for nuclear weapons underline the gravity of the risks to all of humanity,” she added.
Bachelet said her office had recorded 227 civilian deaths, including at least 15 children, but stressed that the real numbers were likely far higher.
Safe passage for humanitarian workers
Separately, in an interview with AFP on Thursday, the UN aid chief pleaded for the protection of civilians in Ukraine and for unhindered humanitarian access amid the spiralling violence.
UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths said he had the resources ready to go following a flash appeal for funds, but that the warring forces needed to allow the delivery of urgent aid.
“Protect civilians, for God’s sake, in Ukraine; let us do our job,” Griffiths said.
“Both sides have talked about those guarantees, and that’s very welcome. But assurance is one thing. What we need is a system. It’s a very simple operation: that we need to tell both parties where a convoy needs to move, on what route, at what time, with what supplies, with how many people, to go from A to B to deliver assistance,” he said.
Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2022
