UNSC Meeting: At the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, India condemned the killing of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine, and demanded an independent UN investigation.
T S Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UNPR), called the reports out of Bucha “deeply disturbing” and said India “unequivocally” condemned the killings, but did not blame Russia for the civilian deaths, speaking at a UNSC meeting convened by this month’s Council President, the United Kingdom. Several other UNSC members called for an investigation into the killings in a Kyiv suburb, where bodies were discovered after Russian forces withdrew, some with their hands tied behind their backs and appearing to have been shot at from a close range. Earlier this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation.
India condemns the act of civilian killing in Bucha at the UNSC meeting
“Recent reports of civilian deaths in Bucha are extremely concerning. Mr. Tirumurti stated, “We unequivocally condemn these killings and support the call for an independent investigation.”
Earlier in the morning, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who joined the group via videoconference, expressed outrage over the killings in Bucha, which he blamed on Russia, and showed a video of gruesome images of men, women, and children, some barely clothed, others burned. Russia has denied carrying out what appear to be execution-style killings, claiming that the bodies were left behind after its forces withdrew from the area. According to a New York Times analysis of satellite images, many of the bodies had been in the area for weeks while the Russians were in charge.
Mr. Tirumurti also called for guarantees for the safe passage of humanitarian and medical supplies during Tuesday’s meeting, claiming that the Russia-Ukraine conflict had resulted in an increase in food and energy costs, which had disproportionately affected developing countries.
Mr. Tirumurti said the international order was founded on respect for states’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as international law and the United Nations Charter.
“When innocent human lives are on the line, diplomacy must prevail as the only viable option,” Mr. Tirumurti said, adding that India had noted the recent talks between Russia and Ukraine.