The member countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday adopted a resolution presented by Ukraine which condemns "
in the strongest terms
" Russia's military aggression and in particular the attacks on health services. .
Read alsoIn Ukraine, the army and civilians ready for a long war: the story of the special envoy of
Figaro
On the other hand, the text adopted by 88 votes against 12 and 53 abstentions, does not provide for concrete sanctions against Russia within the WHO.
The assembly began to vote on a second text on the war in Ukraine, presented by Russia with Syria, which aims to be "
more neutral
" than the Ukrainian text and has been sharply denounced by several member countries, including France, as a "
cynical attempt by Russia to conceal the reality of a war
".
It should be rejected.
Health implications
According to the most recent WHO census, there have been 256 attacks on health services in Ukraine that have left 75 health workers dead.
A census that can be used for prosecution for war crimes.
The resolution adopted on Thursday stresses that the aggression "
constitutes an exceptional situation, seriously hampering the health of the Ukrainian population and having health repercussions in the region and beyond
".
The Ukrainian Ambassador to Geneva Yevheniia Filipenko insisted on the food crisis which threatens the world because of the war.
"
Millions of tons of cereals are blocked for export, which will affect the poorest (...) whereas they are for nothing
" in this conflict, she launched.
Read also War in Ukraine: can European unanimity be lifted to strengthen sanctions against Russia?
The French Ambassador, Jérôme Bonnafont, speaking on behalf of the EU, for his part explained that this text "
does not go beyond the mandate of the WHO, remaining centered on health issues, in no way suspends cooperation between the WHO and Russia, does not apply a double standard depending on the country concerned
”.
While the text asks Russia to immediately cease all attacks on hospitals and other health establishments, to protect medical personnel and to respect the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law in general, it does not currently provide for restrict Moscow's role in the WHO.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: will wheat production only increase in Russia this year?
The Russian representative, Alexander Alimov, began by “
rejecting all the allegations
” made against Russia by the Ukrainian resolution and accusing Ukraine of aggression in the eastern part of the country against the pro-Russian populations.
Ukraine and its allies are trying to "
transform the WHO into a forum where accounts are settled and where political debates are carried out
", accused Alexander Alimov.
Earlier, Russia had spoken at length about the humanitarian aid provided in the pro-Russian separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, the care of Ukrainian soldiers and the reception reserved for "
1.5 million refugees
" who have entered Russia since the start of the war.
