Hospital bombing triggers war crimes accusation
Following the Russian bombing of a maternity hospital in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, calls grew for a formal war crimes investigation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government.
In addition, the United Nations human rights office has received “credible reports” that Russian forces are using cluster munitions in Ukraine, including in populated areas, which is prohibited under international humanitarian law, the U.N. political chief said Friday.
Undersecretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo told a U.N. Security Council meeting that residential areas and civilian infrastructure are being shelled in Mariupol, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv and “the utter devastation being visited on these cities is horrific.”
Most of the civilian casualties recorded by the U.N. human rights office – 564 killed and 982 injured as of Thursday – “have been caused by explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes,” she said.
“Directing attacks against civilian and civilian objects, as well as so-called area bombardment in towns and villages, are also prohibited under international law and may amount to war crimes,” DiCarlo said.
As of Thursday the U.N. World Health Organization had verified 26 attacks on health facilities, health workers and ambulances, including the bombing of the Mariupol maternity hospital, which caused 12 deaths and 34 injuries.
All alleged violations must be investigated and those found responsible must be held accountable, she said.