Statement by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine H.E. Mr. Sergiy Kyslytsya at the 11th emergency special session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates,

A month ago, on 23 February, the General Assembly held the debate on “Situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine”. It was just a few hours before the Russian unprovoked and unjustified war against my country started.

As Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said from this rostrum at that meeting: “We need swift, concrete and resolute actions. A new type of action by the UN and international community which is relevant to the level of threat we all, not just Ukraine, face today because of Russia’s aggressive course… We are at a critical juncture in world history and our actions today will define it for decades to come.”

And tomorrow will be another symbolic date. A month since the lives of millions of Ukrainians were split into two parts. A peaceful past, full of joy and positive plans, and the present – with war, suffering, death and destruction.

Thousands of Ukrainians have lost their lives over this month – young and old, women and men, civilians and military. They died because Russia decided to attack. Attack Ukraine, attack peace, attack all of us.

Every day of the Russian war against Ukraine aggravates humanitarian situation further and further. In a nutshell – it has already reached the level of humanitarian disaster.
People are starving to death in the occupied or besieged areas. People are being killed in their attempt to flee from conflict-affected areas. Cities are razed to the ground by shelling and airstrikes.

Neighboring countries are stretched to their limits of accommodating millions of Ukrainian refugees.

 
These developments have prompted a cross-regional group of two dozen States that represent all regions to work together on a draft resolution, entitled “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine”. The text under A/ES-11/L.2 is the result of a collective and informed effort. And here I would like to express special thanks to France and Mexico for their dedicated leadership during these long days of consultations.

While clearly pointing to the root cause of the humanitarian catastrophe, it is an action-oriented text that places the main focus on the urgently needed steps to alleviate the humanitarian suffering on the ground.

Immediate cessation of hostilities by the Russian Federation, in particular any attacks against civilians and civilian objects. Protection of civilians, including humanitarian and medical personnel, journalists, persons in vulnerable situations, foreign nationals, notably students.

Ensuring safe and unhindered passage for all civilians fleeing armed conflict and violence.
Putting an end to the practice of sieges of cities of Ukraine, in particular the city of Mariupol.
Respect for international humanitarian law, human rights law and refugee law.

The intention of the initiators and co-sponsors of the draft resolution is to ensure the words are translated into prompt actions on the ground. It will be critical to prevent a spillover effect for the entire world. That is why the text also mentions the impact of the conflict on food security globally, in particular in the least developed countries, as well as energy security.
We ask all those who stand against the war to vote with us. To vote for the draft A/ES-11/L.2, entitled “Humanitarian consequences of the aggression against Ukraine”.

It will send a powerful message aimed at contributing to a breakthrough in humanitarian action on the ground and making the aggressor stop its unprovoked war.
We are encouraged by the growing number of countries who resolutely support as cosponsors this truly cross-regional draft that gives the General Assembly a chance to speak with a powerful voice so needed to give peace a chance.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Let me ask you how many times in this hall you have felt a sense of apathy in the air; at best that your action is not essential, that staying on the so called safe side is the best option, that there are others who will act and deal with the matter.

Basically it’s diffusion of responsibility, when the more onlookers there are, the less personal responsibility individuals will feel to take action. It is, ladies and gentlemen, the bystander effect, or bystander apathy, which is a social psychological theory that states that individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when there are other people present. Like on a busy street of a megapolis.

But let me remind you that the General Assembly should not be ruled by street violence psychology.
After all we are here United Nations. And that is why this morning eight dozens countries have already cosponsored the draft.
We are not Bystander Nations that defuse responsibility,
We do not trivialize murder.
We do not make a taboo of murder’s identity, anonymizing it.
We do not fall victims of any Stockholm syndrome, sipping coffee with a serial killer in the Delegates lounge or Vienna cafe.
Or do we?
Think about it when you vote during this emergency session.
I call upon all responsible Member States to support the draft!

 
Thank you!