UN human rights office confirms over 500 civilian deaths in Ukraine News
© JURIST
UN human rights office confirms over 500 civilian deaths in Ukraine

The UN human rights office (OHCHR) Friday confirmed that 549 Ukrainian civilians have been killed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The OHCHR said in a press statement that, among those who have been killed, 41 were children. A further 957 individuals have sustained injuries.

The conflict that broke out on February 24 has subjected Ukrainian civilians to explosions and military fighting. On March 3, 47 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike that hit two schools. On March 9, another airstrike hit a maternity hospital and injured 17 civilians.

The UN has expressed “grave concern” over the increasing death toll, calling again for Russia to cease attacks on Ukraine.

The OHCHR stated that the number of casualties could be higher due to the difficulty of identifying civilian deaths. Russian forces are using explosives in populated areas in “indiscriminate attacks.” The UN predicted that most of the civilian deaths are from explosive weapons and airstrikes.

Expressing concern in the press release, the OHCHR added that there are increasing reports of Ukrainians being detained for peacefully protesting against Russia’s attack. This has been noted in the eastern region of Ukraine, but details are not in the public knowledge. However, the UN has called for their immediate release.

Anti-war protestors in Russia have also been arrested, with over 5,000 in detention.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Thomas Becket, former Chancellor of England, murdered by Henry II's knights

On December 29, 1170, Archbishop Thomas Becket, former Chancellor of England, was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by knights acting in the name of Henry II.

Becket and Henry had been entangled in a power struggle over, among other things, criminal jurisdiction over clergy. Read a contemporary account of the murder of Thomas Becket.

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