Federal President Cassis condemns attack on ICRC in Mariupol
President Cassis condemns the Russian attack on an ICRC warehouse in Mariupol. It is a violation of international humanitarian law.
the essentials in brief
- Ignazio Cassis condemns the Russian attack on an ICRC warehouse in Mariupol.
- This attack seriously violates international humanitarian law.
Federal President Ignazio Cassis has condemned in the strongest possible terms the attack on an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warehouse in Mariupol. At the opening of an international climate forum in Geneva, he pledged support for Ukraine’s efforts to remain independent.
An attack on the ICRC constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, the foreign minister told the media on Thursday. That is just as unacceptable as attacks on the civilian population.
According to the information, Russian bombs have been fired at an ICRC warehouse in Mariupol in the past few days. The ICRC has run out of staff and staff in the embattled city. However, Red Cross aid convoys were there on Thursday.
Cassis wants to work toward the end of the war
At the opening of the “International Cooperation Forum 2022” with 1,600 delegates, Cassis justified Switzerland’s repeated sanctions against Russia because of the attack on Ukraine. The war in Ukraine could have repercussions for decades and completely change the security structure in Europe.
But that is still uncertain. At the moment, Switzerland can contribute its humanitarian aid and its support in finding a ceasefire. Cassis pledged to actively work to bring the war to an end.
The Foreign Minister appealed to the forum participants not to lose sight of other problem areas in the world. This includes climate change, which affects all countries equally. Climate change is at the root of numerous conflicts and refugee movements.
Patricia Danzi, head of the Directorate for Development and Cooperation (Deza), said that no one should turn a blind eye to climate change. The two-day forum is to be held annually in Geneva in the future.
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