On September 12, the Russian occupiers fired at a convoy of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Donetsk region, which resulted in the death of three Ukrainians - workers of the humanitarian mission. The reaction of the organization's management caused indignation among Ukrainian officials, in particular, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets.
During the broadcast of the national telethon, Lubinets said that the president of the ICRC reacted to the tragedy only in the evening and did not mention Russia in her statement. This caused the indignation of the ombudsman, who emphasized that the organization should react urgently, condemn the actions of the aggressor and demand an explanation. Lubinets believes that the Red Cross has hit rock bottom with its passivity and now there is no point in continuing its activities both in Ukraine and in Russia.
Criticism of the ICRC due to inaction regarding prisoners of war
In addition, the ombudsman emphasized that the Red Cross does not fulfill its obligations to help Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian captivity. Lubinets accused the organization of not visiting Ukrainian prisoners, although they publicly declare such visits.
A call to reform and create a new organization
Dmytro Lubinets also proposed to appeal to ICRC donors with a call to create a new, more effective humanitarian organization, as the Red Cross, according to him, has lost its reputation and can no longer perform its functions effectively. In his opinion, closing the organization's offices in Ukraine and Russia is the only correct decision after such incidents and inaction.
Reaction to the shelling of the humanitarian mission
After the shelling of the ICRC convoy in Donetsk region, the organization announced the suspension of its office in Dnipro. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the death of three people as a result of the attack and noted that the two wounded were given the necessary assistance.
