December 16, 2024
Madam President,
I would, first of all, like to thank Ms Lisa Doughten of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for her presentation.
For over a thousand days now, Russia has been pursuing its war of aggression against Ukraine, in defiance of the United Nations Charter and of international law. It has deliberately targeted civilian populations and property for almost three years, in violation of international humanitarian law.
France condemns Russia’s indiscriminate strikes against civilians, which continue to intensify, as was the case, once again, on December 10 in Zaporijjia, and against Ukraine’s energy infrastructures. More than half of Ukraine’s electricity-generating capacity has now been destroyed or damaged, forcing the Ukrainian people to face a third winter of war in the cold.
Russia’s deep strikes, far from the front lines, are not aimed at direct military targets, but at civilian infrastructure that meets the basic needs of millions of Ukrainians. These strikes violate international humanitarian law.
We reiterate that Russia must respect international humanitarian law and the humanitarian principles of distinction and proportionality, and cease its deliberate strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure.
Madam President,
France condemns the war crimes that have been committed in Ukraine. Russia is using sexual violence as a weapon of war. It has forcibly transferred and deported Ukrainian children.
Russia has once again been singled out in the Secretary-General’s latest annual report on children and armed conflict.
Russia is responsible for multiple human rights violations in the occupied territories and for violations of international humanitarian law against Ukrainian prisoners of war. The fate of the 1.5 million Ukrainians in the occupied territories is a cause for concern. Russia must allow humanitarian organizations to have access to this population.
Madam President,
From the first day of Russia’s war of aggression, France has supported Ukraine and its neighboring countries in dealing with the humanitarian consequences of the conflict. France has mobilized more than 400 million euros to meet emergency humanitarian needs and to ensure the rehabilitation of essential infrastructures.
France remains determined to continue to help Ukraine as intensively and as long as necessary, so that Ukraine can exercise its right to self-defense and so that Russia’s war of aggression can be overcome.
France remains committed to the respect of international humanitarian and human rights law. France welcomes the successful completion of Ukraine’s ratification of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. France reaffirms its support for the International Criminal Court and for Ukrainian courts, to ensure that those responsible for the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine are held accountable.
Respect for these rights is an integral part of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, in line with the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly.
I thank you.