By KYIV. Dec 2 (Interfax-Ukraine) – During a visit to Ukraine, the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Violations in Ukraine paid considerable attention to the issue of the destruction of the country’s civilian infrastructure, intends to study this issue in detail and will return to it in a report on human rights in March, Commissioner of the UN Independent International Commission Jasminka Džumhur reports.
"During this visit, the Commission devoted significant attention to the issue of the destruction of the civilian infrastructure of the country, particularly the destruction of its energy and transportation grids. Both are preconditions for accessing rights, and civilian infrastructure is protected by international humanitarian law. The Commission intends to examine this issue in detail and will return to it in its report to the Human Rights Council next March," Džumhur said at a press conference in Kyiv on Friday.
In turn, the chairman of the commission of inquiry, Erik Møse, stressed that the Commission is closely monitoring these events, which have devastating consequences for a large number of people.
"Winter is coming, it’s already cold. Undoubtedly, we are watching this. We had meetings, for example, with the ministries that are responsible for this area during the visit this week," Møse explained.
In turn, Commissioner Pablo de Greiff also pointed out that attacks on infrastructure had an impact on access to rights that are fundamental to a large number of the population. According to him, this is a very serious issue for the Commission.
Džumhur drew attention to the fact that the Commission is concerned about the devastating situation that continues to affect the rights and lives of children.
"The spectrum of their endangered rights is constantly multiplying. In addition to documented cases of violations to the personal integrity of children, mothers told us that children are facing challenges accessing education. Destroyed and demolished schools in many cases, especially in the zone of military operations, prevent physical access to education," Džumhur said.
She emphasized that attacks on the energy system threaten the effectiveness of the online education model created during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Additionally, attacks on transport and energy infrastructure limit mobility of patients and indirectly reduces enjoyment of the right to health," the commissioner said.
