Speaking from Ukraine’s Uzhhorod in an interview aired Sunday on Rosemary Barton Live, Matilda Bogner warned of a dire situation in the country five weeks after its invasion by Russia. “Unfortunately, the civilian casualties are increasing every day,” he said. “The rates of civilian casualties in the country are very high.” The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented more than 3,000 civilian casualties, including 1,417 deaths. But as tragic as that is, Bogner says the actual number is probably much higher. “The numbers we are recording do not show the full picture, because we have to fully verify every single victim and we know that there are more than what we have verified so far,” he said.

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An apartment building that was destroyed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine is presented in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on Wednesday. The intensity of the siege in the city has made it dangerous for human rights observers to work there. (Alexander Ermochenko / Reuters)
It is particularly difficult for her team to obtain information from areas and cities under heavy fire, such as the southeastern city of Mariupol. “It’s a bit like a black hole. It’s very difficult to get information from these areas,” Bogner said. “There is no electricity, communications have been cut off and therefore it is difficult to collect and fully verify the victims from these areas – and we know that the casualties are high in these areas.” Experts told the CBC that it could take years to determine the exact number of civilian casualties. Bogner added that even in some areas that are not under siege, the UN team may have difficulty gathering information on civilian casualties. “It is also difficult to reach people in areas occupied by the Russian Federation, because people are often afraid to speak and speak openly,” he said. But in areas the group can reach, the fact that the UN human rights watchdog has been present since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2014 was an advantage. “We have stable networks across the country, a lot of people know about our work and trust our work and therefore talk to us,” Bogner said. Her team also visited prisoners of war to ensure that international law and human rights were respected.

Canada officials condemn civilian deaths

The Ukrainian government said it had found dead civilians on the outskirts of Kiev from which the Russians had withdrawn. The Canadian government has said it will take action to punish those responsible for the atrocities. “We strongly condemn the killing of civilians in Ukraine, we remain committed to holding the Russian regime accountable and we will continue to do what we can to support the people of Ukraine,” Prime Minister Justin Trinto tweeted on Sunday. “Those responsible for these heinous and horrific attacks will be brought to justice.” We strongly condemn the killing of civilians in Ukraine, we remain committed to holding the Russian regime accountable and we will continue to do what we can to support the people of Ukraine. Those responsible for these heinous and horrific attacks will be brought to justice. https://t.co/YDwJ0n693m – @JustinTrudeau
“The news of the absurd killing of innocent civilians in Ukraine, including Bucha, is shocking. Canada will spare no effort, including war crimes investigations, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Canada wrote. in Keladima. The news of the absurd killing of innocent civilians in Ukraine, including Bucha, is shocking. Canada will make no effort, including war crimes investigations, to ensure that those responsible are held accountable. – @ CanadaFP
Bob Ray, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, said on Twitter that the victims were ensuring that the fate of Russian President Vladimir Putin was “sealed”. “#VladimirPutin’s name will forever be associated with crimes of cruelty and savagery. #Bucha, #Mariepol and countless others will enter our consciousness and be associated with his name until the end of time. No truce or treaty will change it. this.” said Ray. His name – @ BobRae48
In an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trindade on Sunday, Ukrainian-Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij called on Canada and its allies to provide military assistance to Ukraine – including fighter jets and tanks – to prevent Ukraine from losing ground. “The international community is signaling to Russia that the world is ready to stand by as Russia commits genocide. And if our policy continues to be driven by a desire not to ‘provoke’ Russia – instead of helping Ukraine win it. “War – the coming days and weeks will bring more Bucha,” he said. Bogner said local authorities in Ukraine have been digging mass graves to bury the dead. “We have evidence of makeshift graves. These are graves set up by local authorities and volunteers and so on to deal with people who die there but who cannot be buried in ordinary cemeteries because it is very dangerous to take them there,” he said. “We know of at least three of these larger tombs, but we know that people also buried the dead in gardens, elsewhere, with one, two, maybe three corpses.” Bogner said the best solution at the moment would be humanitarian corridors, so that citizens in cities like Mariupol could reach safety. CLOCKS The death toll of civilians in Ukraine is likely to be “much higher” than has been reported, the UN warns:

Civilian deaths in Ukraine likely ‘much higher’ than reported, warns UN

The United Nations warns that the death toll in the Russian-led invasion of Ukraine could be much worse than previously reported. Rosemary Barton Live talks to Matilda Bogner, head of the UN Human Rights Watch mission in Ukraine, about the situation in the country and the pressure to take responsibility. 7:38
Many who are still in the city are particularly vulnerable, he says. “Unfortunately, they are the most vulnerable people living in a city like Mariupol,” he said. “Others have found ways, often dangerous, but they have found ways to leave, and those left behind are the elderly, the disabled or people who for other reasons simply could not use the means of transportation and so on to leave the city.” While UN documentation of civilian casualties is partly due to Russia’s accountability, Bogner says preventing civilian casualties in the first place can not be forgotten in the group’s work. “Right now, the violations are continuing and we want to see them stop, we want to see them decrease and stop as soon as possible,” he said.