Officials' 'powerful' act against Russia during UN speech
A raft of officials have walked out on Russia's foreign minister in an act of solidarity with Ukraine.
Remarkable video reveals the moment diplomats from Europe and other countries stood up and walked out as Sergey Lavrov's pre-recorded address began at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday (local time).
It comes just moments after a similar stunt at the nearby UN Conference on Disarmament.
The French delegation shared video of the earlier walkout to Twitter, stating the act was to "show our support to Ukraine".
French Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont said Russia's invasion of Ukraine "constitutes a violation of human rights".
“It is important that the Human Rights Council shows with this walkout that it is united with Ukraine and with the people of Ukraine.”
Diplomats from the US and UK were among those to leave, while only a handful remained inside, including from Venezuela and Syria.
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Ukrainian Ambassador thanks diplomats
Ukrainian Ambassador Yevheniia Filipenko thanked those who participated in the walkout. Diplomats applauded the stunt outside the theatre.
Scientists for EU founder Mike Galsworthy shared video of the walkout, calling it a "powerful" act.
Ukrainian diplomat Olexander Scherba described the disarmament walkout as "especially impressive".
Mr Lavrov was due to appear at the UN's European headquarters on Tuesday however cancelled amid Europe's mounting sanctions against Russia.
Australia is among several countries that have sent weapons and financial assistance to Ukraine.
Russian forces have embarked on an invasion of Ukraine, with reports of heavy shelling and missile attacks that have impacted civilians.
Walk out from the EU and its partners during the statement from Minister #Lavrov at the #ConferenceOnDisarmament this morning to show our support to Ukraine #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/q6Tq8bdd1D
— France-Désarmement 🇫🇷🇪🇺 (@FR_Desarmement) March 1, 2022
The US State Department on Monday said Russia's advancements were a "widespread" breach of human rights.
In Mr Lavrov's disarmament speech, he blamed Ukraine for the conflict and claimed Ukraine was attempting to assemble nuclear weapons, to which Russia was working to prevent.
Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin put his country's nuclear forces on high alert.
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