Amidst ongoing humanitarian operations, Martin Griffiths told ambassadors he had come to brief them in New York on “the widespread death, destruction, displacement, and suffering” taking place since the invasion of 24 February, and the challenges that the continuing violence and winter weather were exacerbating. “Over 14 million people remain forcibly displaced from their homes
Read MoreRussian missiles and drones have rained down on several cities, including the capital, Kyiv, she reported, destroying or damaging homes and severely disrupting critical services. “I must say it again: attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international humanitarian law,” she stressed. ‘No end in sight’ Meanwhile, military dynamics on the ground continue
Read MoreThe draft resolution, circulated by the United States and Albania, was supported by ten of the fifteen members of the Council, with Russia voting against it. Four members abstained, Brazil, China, Gabon and India. The draft described the so-called referendums held by Russia in the four regions of Ukraine which Moscow now regards as sovereign
Read MoreNoting that 2022 is Ireland’s centenary year as a sovereign country, and Mr. Martin pointed out that one of the first acts of the Government was to join the League of Nations, the predecessor to the United Nations. A continued commitment to multilateralism The Taoiseach outlined Ireland’s continuing commitment to multilateralism, citing initiatives undertaken by
Read More“A crime has been committed against Ukraine, and we demand just punishment,” he said in a pre-recorded message to world leaders. “The crime was committed against our State borders. The crime was committed against the lives of our people. The crime was committed against the dignity of our women and men. The crime was
Read MoreGuterres gravely concerned Europe’s largest nuclear plant has come under repeated shelling in recent weeks, sparking fears of a potential nuclear disaster. Highlighting his continued grave concern over the situation, the UN chief again warned that any damage to Zaporizhzhia, or to any other nuclear facility in Ukraine, could result in a wide-reaching catastrophe.
Read MorePramila Patten, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict, recalled her recent visit to Ukraine and outlined the elements of a recently signed Framework of Cooperation on the Prevention and Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, which seeks to strengthen accountability and combat those abhorrent crimes. “Too often have the needs of women and girls
Read MoreBeginning her briefing with a wider perspective, Wairimu Nderitu said that hateful and contentious narratives that form in the wake of growing hostility, violence and discrimination, could have a “devastating impact” on societies at large. “We saw it in the lead up to the Holocaust, in Rwanda in 1994” and also in the ethnically-charged Bosnia
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