Allegations of sexual violence committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are mounting as the conflict passes its 100-day mark.
United Nations officials told the Security Council while voicing regret over a stark discrepancy between that painful reality and the global community’s ambition to end the use of rape as a tactic of war.
As Council members took the floor, many expressed support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General’s framework of cooperation and called for an urgent end to the use of rape and other sexual crimes as tactics of war–both in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.
Kenya’s representative, Martin Kimani condemned the violations of international law “and the most basic human decency” ongoing against women and children in Ukraine.
“All military commanders must ensure that those responsible for such atrocities are held to account, and soldiers should be subject to severe discipline for abusing civilians or captured combatants,” Kimani said.
Kimani asked political leaders to be aware that ideological labeling against entire populations increases the risk that rank-and-file soldiers will commit atrocities.
He urged United Nations agencies and partners to do their utmost to deliver medical and psychosocial support to the survivors of sexual violence and trafficking, adding that more should also be done to ensure humanitarian corridors and safety from military targeting for the millions in besieged areas.
Kimani joined others in commending the signing of the framework agreement with Ukrainian authorities and praised the role of women as fighters and agents of change in that country.
However, he also reiterated the plight of Africans trapped in the war, citing reports of discrimination against people of African descent who are seeking to flee to other European cities, and raised the issue of food insecurity stemming from the war that is seriously disrupting supply chains and impacting people in the global South.
Kimani was addressing the Security Council, which has been meeting to discuss the use of such violence in the war.
UN human rights agencies say they have corroborated 124 cases of alleged sexual violence committed in Ukraine.
However, the actual number of sexual crimes in the war is likely to be significantly higher, according to Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.
Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to hide evidence of such crimes, including the burning of the bodies of victims.
Russia has claimed no evidence has been provided of such crimes.