Russia’s invasion triggers "most massive violations of human rights" - UN chief

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered "the most massive violations of human rights we are living [through] today," United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Monday.

That’s according to CNN, Ukrinform reports.

"It has unleashed widespread death, destruction and displacement," Guterres said.

"The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented dozens of cases of conflict-related sexual violence against men, women and girls," the top UN official added.

Guterres spoke at the UN Human Rights Council’s meeting in Geneva, commemorating the 75-year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

He called on governments to respect and revitalize the declaration, which he said is often "misused and abused."

In the rights group’s annual report, it said that evidence of war crimes in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, were part of a pattern that "has been repeated countless times."

As Ukrinform reported earlier, the annual session of the UN Human Rights Council started in Geneva on Monday, February 27, with the investigation of war crimes committed by the Russian army in Ukraine on the top agenda.

About 150 heads of state and government, including representatives of the USA, China, Ukraine, and Iran, are expected to speak.

Last week, hearings were held in New York at the UN Headquarters regarding gross violations of human rights caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine. First Lady Olena Zelenska, speaking at the UN, called for the creation of a tribunal to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine and hold criminals accountable for human rights violations, murder, and violence.