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