– Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine
LONDON, England – Over the past 25 years, the Security Council has repeatedly recognised, condemned and sought to address the impact of conflict on children.
While it will take time for the UN’s Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism to establish the full extent of the impact on children of Russia’s invasion, there is already evidence that Russia is committing four of the Security Council’s six Grave Violations Against Children in Times of War – listed in Security Council Resolution 1261:
- Children have been killed and maimed; OHCHR reporting suggests that at least 238 children have been killed, and 347 injured – although the true toll is likely to be far higher.
- Schools and nurseries have been targeted across Ukraine, and, as with the tragic bombing of the Mariupol theatre, children sheltering have been mercilessly targeted.
- There are credible allegations of sexual violence against children by Russian forces. And, as others have said, mass displacement has left children exposed to human trafficking and sexual exploitation.
- Reports of forced deportations continue, with over 700,000 people, including many mothers and children, having been moved to Russia.
There is now a very real risk of a lost generation, and the continuation of a cycle of violence, caused by Russia’s invasion and the devastation it has created.
To address this, we need to work together.
First, we urge all countries to endorse and implement the 2016 Safe Schools Declaration, designed to protect education in armed conflict.
Second, the international community must ensure that all credible allegations of crimes on the territory of Ukraine are investigated, including grave violations against children, whoever is accused of committing them.
We support all efforts to improve our collective understanding of the situation on the ground, through evidence and data collection, and the work of the monitoring and reporting mechanism.
Third, the UK is proud to continue to play a leading role in the humanitarian effort in Ukraine, delivering vital supplies and life-saving medical aid to those most in need, including children.
But, humanitarian support is not a solution to the suffering of children in Ukraine.
Only the withdrawal of Russian troops and an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine, will end the cause of suffering.
