Further armed conflict in Ukraine would have devastating consequences for the human rights of millions - Amnesty International

Photo credit: kmetro0.it

With the threat of Russia using military force looming, further escalation of armed conflict in Ukraine will have devastating consequences for human rights in the region, in particular threatening the lives and potentially causes mass displacement. This is said in the statement made by Amnesty International, as ZMINA reported.

The authors of the statement emphasized that the conflict has already affected the economic and social rights of millions of people, especially the elderly, young people and low-income people. Thus, rising prices, in particular for medical supplies, have affected their right to health and a decent standard of living, and the recent schools closing intermittently caused the right to education. 

Human rights activists do not hide their concerns about the possible escalation, as “the history of Russia’s military interventions – be it in Ukraine or Syria, or its military campaign at home in Chechnya – is tainted with blatant disregard for international humanitarian law."

"The Russian military repeatedly flouted the laws of war by failing to protect civilians and even attacking them directly. Russian forces have launched indiscriminate attacks, used banned weapons and sometimes apparently deliberately targeted civilians and civilian objects – a war crime,” said Agnès Callamard.

The eventual migration crisis, which could be caused by the conflict, is also a matter of concern. For example, internally displaced persons may be joined by those seeking protection in Ukraine while fleeing Russia, Belarus and Central Asia.

"“It is frightening to imagine what scale the refugee crisis could reach in the event of escalating hostilities in Ukraine. It will be a continent-wide humanitarian disaster with millions of refugees seeking protection in neighbouring European countries,” said Agnès Callamard.. 

We will remind, according to the chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense Kyrylo Budanov, Russia can prepare an offensive on the east and the south of Ukraine in the beginning of 2022. 

Last spring, there were reports of Russian military build-up on the border with Ukraine. Today, according to the Western analysts, about 100,000 Russian troops positioned there.