Deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and assets is a gross violation of IHL: UK statement to the OSCE
Politico-Military Counsellor Ankur Narayan condemns attack on UN humanitarian convoy in Ukraine, which the UN has attributed to Russia, and calls on Russia to ensure its compliance with international law.
Thank you, Madam Chair. This week, we must address yet another attack by the Russian Federation, which the UN alleges to be a violation of international humanitarian law.
On 14 October, a clearly marked United Nations humanitarian convoy was delivering life-saving aid to the frontline town of Bilozerka in Kherson region. According to the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Matthias Schmale, the convoy “came under attack by the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation”.
Madam Chair, with your permission I would like to show the room a short video that the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) posted after the attack.
The convoy of four trucks was from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the World Food Programme, and UNFPA. They were delivering essential supplies to civilians who are unable to relocate and who rely on humanitarian assistance for their survival. Fortunately, the humanitarian workers were not injured, but two trucks were damaged and set on fire.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Schmale, also added: “Such attacks are utterly unacceptable. Aid workers are protected by international humanitarian law and should never be attacked.”
The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, added: “Humanitarian workers, vehicles and cargo are not a target. Anytime, anywhere.”
Madam Chair, let us be clear: deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and assets would be a gross violation of international humanitarian law. This attack on the convoy may amount to a war crime under the Geneva Conventions and customary international law. The Geneva Conventions protect humanitarian workers by establishing that they cannot be targeted and must be allowed safe passage to deliver aid during armed conflict. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court codifies intentional directing of attacks on humanitarian personnel as war crimes.
The OSCE Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security, now in its 30th year, is unambiguous. Paragraphs 30, 31, and 34 compel all participating States—including Russia—to ensure their armed and security forces comply fully with international law, including international humanitarian law.
The Russian delegate has previously stated in this room that Russia is compliant with international law and “takes care” of civilians. If that is the case, how is this attack on humanitarian workers and supplies compliant with international law?
The UK once again urges the Russian Federation to end its illegal war, to allow unimpeded humanitarian access and to ensure against any attacks on humanitarian missions – in short to come into full compliance with international law. Thank you, Madam Chair.