Public hearings on war in Ukraine held in Brazilian Senate

Public hearings were held in the Federal Senate of Brazil dedicated to Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, reported Vitório Sorotiuk, President of the Ukrainian-Brazilian Central Representation (UBCR). The event was attended by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentary) Commissioner for Human Rights.

Lubinets proposed that Brazil join initiatives for the return of Ukrainian children, civilians, and prisoners of war. “Brazil is one of the leaders of the Global South. During my speech, I talked about the crimes that Russia is committing against our citizens. I also noted that the support of this country in the return of Ukrainian children, civilians, and prisoners of war is extremely important for us,” he said.

The Ombudsman emphasized that just a few days ago, Russia deliberately targeted the largest children’s hospital, Okhmatdyt, with missile strikes. “Therefore, I called on Brazil to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and suggested considering the possibility of becoming a mediator in the return of one group of Ukrainians. Finally, I invited representatives of the Senate to visit Ukraine! No matter how far apart our countries are, we must be close in matters of universal human values and the observance of human rights!” Lubinets said.

Vitório Sorotiuk earlier condemned the Russian attack on Okhmatdyt hospital and sent a letter of appeal to Brazil’s government. “President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, on behalf of 600,000 Brazilians of Ukrainian descent, I would like to request Brazil to condemn the Russian missile attack on the Okhmatdyt Hospital in Kyiv, which occurred on July 8… Brazil has already condemned this aggression at the UN, which violates Article 2 of the Charter, but it is necessary to effectively stop the aggression,” Sorotiuk wrote.