The UN Human Rights Council opened a four-week session in Geneva on September 12, 2022, with Russia's war against Ukraine among the major crises on its agenda, UN News reported.
Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif said civilian suffering continued more than 200 days after the invasion. The Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was scheduled to present findings on possible war crimes to the Council on September 23.
The inquiry was examining grave abuses in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions during the early stages of the invasion. At the session's opening, that presentation was still forthcoming, not a completed Council judgment.
Al-Nashif also raised concerns about restrictions on war critics, journalists and civic freedoms in Russia. She called for respect for the agreement enabling Ukrainian food exports and for supplies to reach people facing food insecurity.
Ukraine was one of several situations addressed during the session; the Council's agenda also included Afghanistan and other human-rights emergencies.
Read more at UN News.
