Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine - April 5th, 2022

Madam President,

I would like to thank the briefers, the Secretary General António Guterres, the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary Di Carlo, and the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, for their updated presentations about the situation in Ukraine.

As we enter into the sixth week of hostilities in the Ukrainian territory, we continue to witness appalling images of human suffering. the recent reports of acts of violence against civilians in Bucha, Irpin, Kharkiv, Donetsk and other places affected by the conflict are extremely worrying, according to a statement by the international committee of the Red Cross. We call for a really independent and thorough investigation of all reported violations, with the full cooperation of both parties to the conflict, without prejudging any conclusions, and underscore the need for perpetrators to be held accountable.

The international community is witnessing for too long appalling scenes of destruction of once peaceful cities, with shocking images from the conflict and the desperation of thousands of civilians trapped in the battlefield, with no food, no water and no electricity.

Once again, we renew our pleas for a broad, effective and immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine. Only after the silence of the guns and the withdrawal of troops are achieved will it be possible to halt the immense costs of human suffering this conflict has brought upon.

Madam President,

The General Assembly has recently adopted a resolution about the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, with the support of Brazil. As we said on that occasion, the General Assembly could not become a bystander of the shocking consequences of the conflict, and, as we added last week in this chamber, neither can the Security Council. As the main UN organ with primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, the Security Council has the mandate and the responsibility to address this situation in an effective manner.

Nevertheless, our assessment is that the Security Council is failing in its role to help in supporting efforts to foster a constructive dialogue between the parties, with the aim of brokering an effective peace settlement to this conflict. We deeply regret that the Security Council has not been able to speak with one voice throughout this crisis. Promoting compliance with international humanitarian law, protecting civilians, calling for peace – these are the objectives that should unite rather than divide us. We should strive to create the conditions for, on the one hand, invigorate the political negotiations, and, on the other, reach an understanding on practical measures to minimize human suffering in Ukraine. Civilians wishing to flee the hostilities must be able to do so in safety, and those who decide to stay cannot become targets of attacks. In the same vein, parties must grant safe passage to relief consignments to those in need.

Once again, Brazil reiterates the call for all parties to fully respect and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. The causes of conflict, whatever they are, do not undermine the obligations all parties have to guarantee that civilians should be protected, that the wounded receive medical care, that humanitarian assistance reach those in need and that detainees be treated humanely, in all circumstances. There must be no politicization of humanitarian actions nor selective application of international humanitarian law. Also, geopolitical objectives must not supersede the endeavor for peace nor prolong the human suffering caused by war.

Madam President,

This conflict, and its associated sanctions, apart from the enormous human suffering and devastation caused in Ukraine, is having spillover effects in the entire world, especially through increased prices of oil, gas, grains and fertilizers, among others. Food insecurity has become an even greater threat to the world’s poorest people, above all in developing countries. The longer this conflict persists, the higher the risk of further instability, hunger and devastation in Ukraine and around the world.

It is high time to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy, for a peaceful settlement of the conflict. We urgently need the cessation of hostilities. De-escalation of tensions and negotiations are the only way out of this conflict, not only for the countries directly involved but also for the whole world.

Thank you.