Global Leaders Blamed As UN Faces Limits In Ukraine Crisis
The United Arab Emirates’ draft resolution (S/2023/970) is explicit in its goal: an urgent humanitarian ceasefire. In less than a day, it attracted the co-sponsorship of at least 97 State Members of the UN. It restates the demand of the Security Council that all parties honor their commitments under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly with respect to the safeguarding of civilians.
It calls for the unconditional and prompt release of every captive. Furthermore, it asks the Secretary-General to urgently and consistently report to the Council on the proposed resolution’s implementation. It’s short, easy to understand, and very important. The Security Council has been unable to demand a stop to the carnage in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory as well as to uphold international peace and security over the past two months.
The United Nations (UN): A Struggle for Effective Intervention
On Thursday, the eve of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution demanding that Russia leave Ukrainian territory and calling for an end to the war with a resounding majority. The nonbinding resolution emphasizes the necessity of holding war criminals accountable, promotes peace, and expresses support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. In March 2022, over a year and a half ago, the UN passed a resolution along these lines. There remained the same number of 141 people in favor of ending the war. But 35 people did not vote, and five supported Russia.
Ukraine and the Humanitarian Imperative
Ukraine is experiencing a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe as a result of the Russian invasion. It is estimated that 6.48 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, while over 3.3 million individuals have left the country to seek asylum abroad. Women and children make up the great majority of refugees, and they are especially vulnerable to gender-based violence, trafficking, and sexual exploitation.
Poland is home to about 2 million of the migrants. Due to the enormous contributions made to relief efforts by the United States, the European Union, and other donor nations, the worldwide response to the tragedy has been exceptional in both its scale and rapidity. For individuals who have sought or are seeking shelter from the war within EU member states, the EU provides legal status and protections. Though it should be the norm rather than the sharp contrast to European responses to outside refugee flight, this is a genuinely excellent trend.
World Leaders: A Call for Accountability
Pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian citizens to safer locations inside Ukraine and to nations that would provide true security for people attempting to evacuate Ukraine is imperative, as should be done by the UN Secretary General and interested states, including the Chinese government. The nations that surround Ukraine ought to keep granting unrestricted access to their land.
According to their respective levels of need, the governments of the nations bordering Ukraine that are currently hosting refugees should receive substantial financial help from the United States and other donor nations. In order to guarantee that assistance reaches NGOs and local government representatives in each of these nations, donors have to collaborate with national governments.
In order to guarantee that non-Ukrainian nationals are treated equally and without discrimination, including when it comes to accessing safe territory and suitable reception conditions, as well as receiving protection and integration support if they are unable to return to their countries of origin, Poland and other countries bordering Ukraine should be put under pressure by the UN Secretary General, the U.S. Secretary of State, EU leaders, and European governments.
Conclusion: Towards a Collaborative Global Response
The European Union, the United States, and other donor nations have generously contributed to assistance operations, resulting in an unprecedented and broad international reaction to the disaster in terms of speed and scope. The European Union offers legal status and safeguards to those who have sought or are seeking safety from the conflict within EU member states. It’s a really positive trend, but it should be the standard rather than the stark contrast to European reactions to outside refugee flight. U.S. President Joe Biden should declare right now that he will approve the emergency resettlement of at least 100,000 Ukrainian refugees over the next two years, as part of an international responsibility-sharing initiative.
