Baerbock finds hard words for Putin again - and gets unusual CDU praise

Created: 03/03/2022, 14:04

Annalena Baerbock speaking to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

© Andrea Renault/AFP

Annalena Baerbock keeps the pressure on Vladimir Putin high.

In a recent speech, she denounces Russian human rights violations.

She receives praise from the opposition.

Geneva/Berlin – Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens)* accused Russia of “the most serious violations of human rights” in the Ukraine war*.

After her speech at the UN General Assembly, she again appealed to the world community.

Also on Thursday (March 3), Baerbock informed the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal Council about the situation in the Ukraine war and gave an outlook on the measures taken to take in refugees in Germany.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine is an attack on the Ukrainian people: on their freedom and on their fundamental rights," Baerbock said in a pre-recorded video message at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

"We urgently need a commission of inquiry into Ukraine to investigate all human rights violations committed by Russia since the beginning of its military aggression," she said.

Ukraine war: Baerbock reprimands "most serious violations of human rights"

"Therefore, human rights must also be at the center of our political action," added Baerbock.

The minister gave her speech in English.

Human rights are currently under pressure worldwide.

“Russia's aggression underscores this all too clearly.

We must counter this attack,” said the minister.

Germany strongly supports Ukraine's request for an urgent debate during the Human Rights Council session.

"The promotion of human rights is not interference in internal affairs," stressed Baerbock.

"Serious violations of human rights must be prosecuted."

Baerbock stressed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine was also an attack on the United Nations Charter.

"This is about nothing less than the most serious violations of human rights: the right to life and the right of the Ukrainian people to determine their own fate." Human rights must also be at the center of political action, as they have come under pressure worldwide.

If human rights were denied, "our existence is threatened," Baerbock warned.

She referred her words to the people of Ukraine, but also to the activists of human rights organizations like Memorial in Moscow and to "brave men like Alexei Navalny, whose voices should be silenced".

The minister also mentioned demonstrators taking to the streets in Russia against Putin's war and "all people worldwide who suffer discrimination because of their beliefs".

Baerbock also advocated listening to the experiences of women - "they are the most vulnerable in conflict and crisis".

Baerbock and Kretschmer thank people in Germany - CDU country chief praises Green Minister

Together with the Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmann (CDU), Baerbock presented plans for the care of refugees from Ukraine at noon.

"We have a major humanitarian task ahead of us," said Kretschmer.

Addressing the refugees from Ukraine, he said: “We as countries say clearly: you are welcome here.

Come to Germany.”

In assessing the Russian war in Ukraine, there is great agreement between the federal government consisting of SPD, Greens and FDP and the federal states, Kretschmer praised.

The CDU politician thanked Baerbock in particular "for the clarity with which you represent Germany in this difficult phase".

Annalena Baerbock and Michael Kretschmer on Thursday in their joint statement.

© Chris Emil Janssen/www.imago-images.de

Baerbock said that all federal states had made it clear "that they are of course pulling in the same direction together with all actors".

Taking in the refugees requires close cooperation between the federal, state and local governments.

It is not only about accommodation, but also about psychological support.

Kretschmer currently chairs the foreign affairs committee of the state chamber.

Meetings of the committee are rare, it usually only comes together on special occasions.

War in Ukraine: International Criminal Court investigates war crimes

Russia invaded Ukraine a week ago.

The UN General Assembly called on Moscow on Wednesday to withdraw from the neighboring country “immediately”.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) launched investigations into possible war crimes in Ukraine.

On Thursday afternoon Ukraine and Russia wanted to negotiate again.

At the same time, the Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin would appear on TV.

Baerbock announced that Germany would remain a member of the UN Human Rights Council for another three years.

The Federal Government is convinced that “we must all work together to put human rights at the center of our actions.

For the mothers, fathers and children in Ukraine.

For all who suffer.

We have to act now." (

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