“Let’s vote yes for peace”, Minister Ian Borg shows support to Ukraine in UN speech

Feb 22 2023

Malta Daily reporting LIVE from the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

On Tuesday, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg addressed an Emergency Special Session at the United Nations, expressing Malta’s support towards Ukraine one year since the start of Russia’s war of aggression.

During his speech, Borg reiterated the international community’s horror by the daily reports of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, violence, including sexual and gender-based violence, against women and children; and the use of torture.

Highlighting how 40 per cent of Ukraine’s population is in dire need of assistance, 8 million have left the country and 5.3 million are internally displaced or unable to leave illegally annexed regions, Borg held that “Russia’s aggression must be condemned and denounced without reservation.”

“Malta will continue to support all efforts by Ukraine and the international community to this end,” Borg stated.

During the historic meeting to commemorate one year since Russia’s first attacks on Ukraine, United States ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield highlighted how such a vote will go down in history. Thomas-Greenfield stated “we have before us a resolution that calls upon the nations of the world to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

In its term as UN security council president, Malta will be following three important principles as per Minister Ian Borg: “Security, sustainability and solidarity”.

As of February 1, Malta began to hold the presidency of the UN security council, a body which holds the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

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‘Like the gulag you see in movies… a little bit worse’ – Ukrainian war prisoners describe scenes

Feb 22 2023

Malta Daily reporting LIVE from the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Addressing the United Nations at the UN headquarters in New York City, hero defender of Mariupol and former prisoner of war Illia Samoilenko compared the situation of Ukranian prisoners of war to something “a little bit worse than the Gulag you see in movies.”

The panel discussion titled ‘Violations of the rights of prisoners of war’ welcomed a number of others speakers including Mr. Artem Dyblenko, hero defender of Mariupol and former prisoner of war. Dyblenko explained how there was no peace or humanity where he was, where human rights meant nothing and the only thing the people knew was suffering and awaiting death.

Accountability.

That is needed for gross, horrific human rights violations committed by Russia in its illegal war against Ukraine.

Illia Samoilenko, a prisoner of war, reminds us that he can share his story but too many stories won’t be heard.#StandWithUkraine #HumanRights pic.twitter.com/kbUcK50YKr

— Helena Jauhiainen (@HJauhiainen) February 22, 2023

In the following address, Association of Families representative Ms. Nataliya Husak went on to state that Russia continues to violate the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War and other human rights. During her speech, Husak held back tears as she described the prisoners’ situation under the captivity of the Russian Federation. Appealing to the UN on the behalf of families of thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war, Husak appealed for the facilitation of the release of the Ukrainian prisoners of war and a mechanism for communication, medicine, clothing and other resources for these same individuals.

“Please save the lives of our dearest relatives…” she concluded.

As of February 1, Malta began to hold the presidency of the UN security council, a body which holds the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

This month, the United Nations marks one year since Russia invaded Ukraine, with the UN general assembly to hold on a draft resolution stressing “the need to reach, as soon as possible, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in line with the founding United Nations Charter.

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Photo Source: @HJauhiainen / @Ivanivanovi9 via Twitter

“Human rights are like air, they have no borders”, first lady of Ukraine addresses United Nations

Feb 22 2023

In an initial address via video conference during the event addressing the “Gross Human Rights Violations due to The Aggression Against Ukraine” , the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska stated that Russia’s invasion is an issue which not only concerns Ukraine, due to its breach of human rights.

The first lady went on to shine a light on the brutal and harsh human rights violations, with photos exhibiting the battered cities of Ukraine following attacks from Russia.

Throughout the address, Zelenska’s presentation exhibited multiple images of Ukrainian cities in the aftermath of Russia’s attacks, with victims including the cities of Bakhmut, Dnipro, Kyiv, Mariupol and others.

“Human rights are like air, they have no borders. Either we have them all or we have none… Therefore justice for Ukraine is justice for the whole world.”

Zelenska thereby called for a legal front for justice in the equal rights for men and women, quoting a 1945 United Nations document following WWII.

During his address, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated “Those responsible must be held fully accountable”, going on to appeal for closure of this chapter. “Let’s prove that everything that seems impossible is ultimately possible when justice is involved.”

Verified civilian casualties of the war in Ukraine have passed 21,000 – with more than 8,000 dead and 13,000+ injured.@UNHumanRights chief @volker_turk demands an immediate end to the suffering and calls for accountability & justice. https://t.co/TvVaiCIpKl pic.twitter.com/R4UMobXwYp

— United Nations (@UN) February 21, 2023

The first event of Wednesday 22nd February was addressed by the First Lady of Ukraine, Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Netherlands Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra, Estonia Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, Guatemala Foreign Minister Mario Adolfo Búcaro Flores and Canada Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, amongst other speakers. Malta’s Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg will address various events whilst also chairing.

As of February 1, Malta began to hold the presidency of the UN security council, a body which holds the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.

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Photo Source: United Nations / rbc.ua via Wiki

Crocodile hunter Steve Irwin would have turned 61 today

Feb 22 2023

Known as the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, wildlife educator and television personality popular in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Irwin tragically lost his lief in September 2006 at the age of 44 due to a stingray injury to the heart, leaving a legacy of animal activism and education following his work.

Irwin was well known for his daring adventures with animals, wrestling crocodiles, getting face to face with the planet’s most dangerous creatures but simultaneously teaching us all about the magnificent fauna that populates Earth.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)

On what would have been his 61st birthday on the 22nd of February 2023, his daughter Bindi Irwin paid tribute to her late father.

‘Thank you for instilling a love for all species, courage to follow my heart and determination to make a difference in the world for wildlife and wild places. Your legacy lives on and the world is forever changed because of your dedication to conservation. Mum, Robert and I love and miss you so much’ she wrote.

Do you remember Steve Irwin?

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