High level UN officials urge swift investigation into allegations of sexual violence in Ukraine

High level UN officials have called for swift investigation into allegations of sexual violence and the strengthening of measures to protect women and girls in Ukraine.

UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Ms. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women made the call in a statement on the UN Women website.

The statement expressed deep shock over the images of civilians killed in Bucha and other localities as well as mounting allegations of sexual violence perpetrated against women and girls as the war in Ukraine rages on.

“We echo the UN Secretary-General in his calls for the war in Ukraine to stop—now. Such wars and related displacement heighten risks of all forms of sexual violence including trafficking in persons, impacting women and girls disproportionately. Rigorous investigation of allegations of sexual violence must be conducted to ensure justice and accountability, as a central aspect of deterrence and prevention of such crimes. It is vital that all efforts are made to ensure protection and the provision of life-saving and recovery services for survivors of sexual violence. While security and access restrictions continue to pose significant challenges for the verification of information by the United Nations, this should not paralyse urgent and immediate action to put in place prevention and response measures”, the statement said.

It goes further to note that “the allegations of sexual violence raise serious questions about possible war crimes. International humanitarian and human rights law, which categorically prohibit rape and all forms of sexual violence and inhumane treatment, must be fully complied with by all parties to the conflict. Orders should be immediately issued through their respective chains of command prohibiting rape and other forms of sexual violence, with concrete, timebound preventive measures as explicitly outlined in Security Council resolutions 2106 and 2467”.

The UN according to the statement, is strengthening protection and response services for victims and survivors of sexual violence, including for their sexual and reproductive health needs.

These services the statement said is done in collaboration with local women organizations in Ukraine and must be survivor centered.