UN policy chief says Russian attack on nuclear plants is against international law

The head of political affairs of the UN, Rosemary DiCarlo, told the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) on Friday that military operations around nuclear facilities are against international law.

“Attacks on nuclear power facilities are contrary to international humanitarian law… Every effort must be made to prevent a catastrophic nuclear incident,” he said.

DiCarlo further declared that clashes in the vicinity of the plant and other critical civilian infrastructure are “unacceptable” and “highly irresponsible”.

The spokeswoman cited Article 6 of the Geneva Convention which states that “work of installations in dangerous places, including nuclear installations, shall not be under attack”.

The statements were made at an emergency meeting of the Security Council, after clashes between Russian and Ukrainian troops near the area of ​​Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, in the city of Enerhodar, on Thursday (3).

The clashes caused a major fire, which was controlled without reaching the plant itself, but a building in the training center.

In his speech, DiCarlo stressed that Ukraine knows the consequences of a nuclear disaster – referring to the Chernobyl catastrophe in 1986. On the same day the invasion began, the Russian army took control of the inactive Chernobyl plant.

The UN’s head of political affairs also thanked the negotiating meetings between the two countries and said she hoped that the humanitarian corridor agreement would be implemented as soon as possible.

“What we are witnessing in Ukraine today is inconsistent with the principles of the UN Charter. Only diplomacy and negotiation can bring about a lasting solution to the conflict. The fighting in Ukraine must stop and it must stop now.”

*With information from Reuters