The United Nations Secretary-General has stated his shock over images coming from Bucha in Ukraine over the weekend.
“I am deeply shocked by the images of civilians killed in Bucha, Ukraine,” Mr Guterres said in a statement. “It is essential that an independent investigation leads to effective accountability.”
Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said that she was horrified by these images. In a statement, Ms Bachelet said that these and other reports from Ukraine “raise serious and disturbing questions about possible war crimes as well as grave breaches of international humanitarian law and serious violations of international human rights law.”
She said all measures should be taken to preserve evidence.
“It is vital that all efforts are made to ensure there are independent and effective investigations into what happened in Bucha to ensure truth, justice and accountability, as well as reparations and remedy for victims and their families.”
The UN continues to monitor the human rights situation in Ukraine through the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The Mission has staff in seven offices on both sides of the contact line, including in Donetsk and Luhansk, who are documenting civilian casualties and the impact of hostilities, monitoring freedom of movement, and reporting on allegations of violations.
The International Criminal Court is also conducting an investigation into the situation in Ukraine.