Thank you, Mr. Chair,
Norway has aligned itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. I would like to add a brief remark in my national capacity.
Mr. Chair,
As a result of a missile attack on Odesa on 8 May, the rented warehouse of the Odesa regional organization of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine, with an area of 1,000 square meters, was demolished and humanitarian aid in the warehouse completely destroyed by fire.
It was also reported that a mobile hospital of the Mykolaiv regional organization of the Red Cross Society of Ukraine was damaged as a result of the Russian attack on the Mykolaiv region on 7 May. The hospital will be able resume its work in another place after repairs.
Mr. Chair,
These attacks, the damage and destruction of humanitarian assets and medical facilities are utterly unacceptable. Civilian populations, humanitarian organizations and hospitals must never be targets in war. Quite the contrary: Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and the humanitarian and medical mission must be respected.
Russia needs to recall that attacks against employees and institutions of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. Such attacks may also constitute war crimes.
Thank you.