Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As Denmark has stated many times during its term on the Council, we condemn all violations of International Humanitarian Law and call for accountability without exception.
However, this afternoon I am reminded of the classic children’s novel “Through the Looking Glass” in which the main character, Alice, climbs through a mirror on the wall and enters a fantastical world. But rather than Alice, our guides today were Russians and commentators in the Russian media, arguing that false claims are truths, that the aggressor is the victim, and that a democratically elected government must be overthrown to protect human rights.
Denmark will not dignify every distortion and denial of reality with a rebuttal. But as today is supposed to be about international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law, let us recall a few facts.
With regard to the situation in Oleshky – a Ukrainian city that Russiatemporarily, and illegally, occupies – the humanitarian suffering caused there is indeed appalling. After four and a half years of Russian occupation, a oncethriving city on the banks of the Dnipro has been almost emptied. Russian actions have left an estimated two thousand desperate civilians, including children and the elderly, in severe isolation. With basic services, food deliveries and access to medical care severely disrupted.
And the situation in Oleshky is unfortunately far from unique, with similar humanitarian suffering in other parts of the temporarily-occupied territories. Indeed, the contrast between this reality and the Kremlin’s narrative could not be starker. A fantasy in which the so-called special military operation liberates Russian speakers who are supposedly living in mortal fear of a Neo- Nazi regime in Kyiv.
Denmark recalls that, as the occupying power, Russia has obligations under international humanitarian law. To ensure the basic needs of the population, including the provision of adequate food, medical services, and essential supplies in the temporarily-occupied territories, including Oleshky. To treat the population humanely and protect them against violence or threats of violence. The Ukrainians trapped in Oleshky have a right to leave, which must be respected in accordance with IHL. We call on Russia to allow and facilitate immediate and unfettered humanitarian access to Oleshky and the rest of the temporarily-occupied territories.
With regard to the overall situation in Ukraine, it is an undisputable fact that Russia invaded in 2014 and again in 2022, in breach of fundamental rules of international law. That Russia is waging a war of aggression. A failed attempt to illegally change internationally-recognised borders by force. It is also a fact that UN bodies and international courts are documenting systematic violations of international law committed by Russia’s Armed forces, including war crimes and crimes against humanity. Crimes so grave that international arrest warrants have been issued for President Putin and his former Minister of Defence, among others.
By contrast, the government of Ukraine has exercised its inherent right to defended its people and territory in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
If Russia is truly interested in “piercing the blind spots” of violations of international law, it might start with the realisation that its invasion and occupation of Ukrainian territory continues to be a flagrant violation of the UN Charter. And that Ukraine – as any other sovereign state – has a right to defend itself against Russian aggression. If Russia had the least interest in peace, it would by now have accepted the repeated offers by Ukraine of an immediate, and unconditional, ceasefire. This is the indispensable first step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in line with the UN Charter, as repeatedly called for by the UN General Assembly.
This afternoon’s meeting has been a charade. Yet another waste of the Council’s precious time and the UN Secretariat’s limited resources.
Thank you.
