The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Liz Throsell, has called for the protection of civilians in Ukraine following the tragic death of 59 civilians in a rocket attack on a café in a small town in eastern Ukraine.
According to the United Nations Information Center, Throsell stated that the victims, including 36 women, 22 men, and an 8-year-old boy, were all civilians attending a reception following the funeral and burial of a local man who had been a member of the Ukrainian armed forces.
The spokesperson for the UN Commissioner’s Office explained that the explosion completely destroyed the café and a small shop, emphasizing that the Commissioner’s report detailed the devastating impact of the rocket attack on Horodzha, where 15 families lost two or more of their members.
The spokesperson further stated that the Russian armed forces either failed to do everything in their power to verify that the target was military or deliberately targeted civilians or civilian objects. Throsell added, “Either scenario would constitute a violation of international humanitarian law.”
The Commissioner’s report calls on Russia to conduct a full and transparent investigation to hold those responsible accountable and take necessary measures to prevent similar attacks in the future. It also urges Russia to provide access to effective remedies, including appropriate compensation for the victims and their families.
