Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho, at the UNSC meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine - February 28th, 2022

Mr. President,

I would like to thank the briefers for their informative presentations. Let me also take this opportunity to express our solidarity to all families who have lost someone in this war; to all people left without home, water and electricity; to those who are  fleeing in fear, sometimes with nowhere to go; and to everyone who is now trapped in a conflict zone, desperately attempting to find refuge. I wish to commend all personnel that are now in Ukraine trying to alleviate the suffering of the population. We know that you are doing your best in very challenging circumstances, and we know that more could be done to assist you in your efforts.

As we speak, hundreds of thousands of civilians have already fled Ukraine. Many more will certainly follow - millions perhaps. Most hostilities are being conducted in densely populated areas, where the risks of civilian casualties increase, including children, particularly with the use of explosive weapons. Civilians are being called to join the fighting, possibly with no proper training. There are pressing humanitarian needs for medical services, medicines, health equipment, shelter and protection.

Brazil calls all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law and uphold at all times the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, necessity and humanity. It is of paramount importance to ensure the protection of civilians and of critical civilian infrastructure, as well as to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to all those in need and the protection of refugees and displaced persons. We also reiterate our appeal to Ukraine and Russia to facilitate the withdrawal of all persons who want to leave the Ukrainian territory. Brazil expresses its gratitude to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and others who are facilitating the exit of people fleeing the conflict, including Brazilians and Latin Americans. 

Mr. President,

For international humanitarian law, it does not matter how a war came to existence or who was responsible for it. What matters is to spare civilians and maintain a minimum of humanity in an already inhumane situation. So, beyond any discussions in the Council on the reasons for this war, we can and we must come together to adopt measures to minimize the humanitarian impact of the conflict. This is the minimum that we can do. In moving forward, it is important to closely monitor the situation on the ground, the number of civilian casualties and the immediate needs of the population.

At the same time, there is no doubt that the best way to protect civilians and avoid a humanitarian crisis is to prevent conflict and, when it erupts, to immediately cease it. Any war will generate devastation, death, chaos and fear.

The greater the escalation, the higher the risks of human suffering. In the past few days, permanent members of the Security Council - the ones that bear the greatest responsibility for maintaining international peace and security - have been openly referring to severe unilateral sanctions, military actions and nuclear forces. This must stop. We need, the world needs this escalation to stop and dialogue to resume.

The severe economic sanctions being imposed might have rippling effects in world`s economy, with consequences felt way beyond Russia. Possibly, the population in developing countries will be the ones that will suffer the most. The supply of arms and increasing militarization of the region will hardly promote dialogue; it will probably provoke more tensions.

As we have seen reports on nuclear forces being put on high alert, I would like to recall what the International Court of Justice has once said about nuclear weapons: "They have the potential to destroy all civilization and the entire ecosystem of the planet" and their threat or use "would generally be contrary to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict". Any use of nuclear weapons would have unacceptable humanitarian consequences for present and future generations in the territory of Ukraine and beyond.

So far, we have received reports of around two or three hundred of civilian casualties in Ukraine, which is already devastating. If a party resort to a weapon of mass destruction, what will be the number of deaths? What will be the extent of destruction? We have seen that before and we hope, we plead to everyone involved, that we do not see that again.

I thank you.