Russia must immediately stop killing people in Ukraine - Council of Europe
That's according to a statement posted on the website of the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights.
The document states that Russia's military attack against Ukraine has continued to sow death and destruction in the heart of Europe.
"In just a few days, the war has led to the death or injury of hundreds of people, including many children. The latest shelling of the city of Kharkiv has laid bare the Russian forces’ blatant disregard for civilian life, with dozens of people killed and injured and many civilian targets, including apartment blocks and a kindergarten, struck by unguided missiles and suspected cluster munitions," the statement said.
It also says that this war tramples on international law and human rights and obliterates humanitarian law. Millions of people fear for their lives under the indiscriminate shelling that has struck hospitals, schools and homes. Thousands have been cut off from basic facilities, and lack access to water, medication, food, electricity, sanitation and shelter. Hospital workers struggle to provide care, forced by frequent shelling to relocate their patients to bomb shelters or basements. Streams of refugees and displaced people desperately seek safety.
"This carnage must be ended immediately before even more innocent lives are lost and more damage is done. The Russian authorities can do this. They must immediately stop this nightmare," the statement said.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying key infrastructure, conducting massive shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns using artillery, multiple launch rocket systems and ballistic missiles.
Martial law was imposed in Ukraine and general mobilization was announced.
Ukraine officially filed a lawsuit against the Russian Federation to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
