UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu. UN: any transfer of weapons in the context of the war in Ukraine must take place within the international legal framework Peace and Security
UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu told the Security Council on Monday that in the context of the war in Ukraine, “importing, transit, producing and exporting states must act responsibly at every stage, throughout arms supply chain” to prevent their illicit trafficking and misuse.
Nakamitsu said that “military assistance and supplies of weapons and ammunition to the Ukrainian armed forces have continued in recent months” and reportedly included “heavy conventional weapons such as tanks, armored fighting vehicles, combat aircraft, helicopters, large caliber artillery systems, missile systems and combat unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as remotely controlled munitions, small and light weapons and ammunition.”
She said there were also reports that “states are transferring or planning to transfer weapons such as unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles and munitions to the Russian military, and that these weapons have been used in Ukraine.”
Nakamitsu emphasized that any transfer of weapons and ammunition must take place within international legal frameworks, including relevant Security Council resolutions.”
“Pre-transfer risk assessment, marking practices and record keeping , as well as traceability, are of paramount importance,” she said.
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Nakamitsu said that, according to data confirmed by the UN Human Rights Office, from 24 February 2022 to May 16, 2024, as a result of the conflict in Ukraine, at least 11,017 civilians were killed and 21,445 were injured. She also noted that the number of casualties recorded for the month increased for the second month in a row. with a large impact radius in populated areas.
“The Secretary-General has consistently and unequivocally called on all parties to avoid the use of explosive weapons in populated areas,” Nakamitsu said.
“I want to reaffirm the UN’s commitment to supporting all meaningful efforts to establish a just and stable peace in Ukraine in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including relevant General Assembly resolutions. The time has come to end this war,” she concluded.