Ukrainian border guards: 49,000 men prevented from escaping!

Ukrainian border guards: 49,000 men prevented from escaping!

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian border guard authorities have successfully prevented approximately 49,000 conscript men from fleeing the country. These measures are part of the mobilization in force since February 2022 and the current martial law established after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In particular, men between the ages of 18 and 60 are only allowed to leave Ukraine with the permission of the district military replacement office. According to vienna.at, more than 45,000 of these men were arrested at the green border or during preliminary checks.

Those wishing to flee often face major financial hurdles as they have to pay between 4,500 and almost 11,000 euros for the support offered to them when crossing the border. In addition, almost 900 groups of escape aides were discovered who were guilty of the crime of people smuggling.

International humanitarian law and its meaning

In this context, international humanitarian law is crucial. It includes rules that limit the impact of armed conflict on civilians. Civilians must not be targeted and all parties to the conflict are obliged to comply with international humanitarian law. This also includes the protection of the wounded, medical personnel and prisoners of war, who must be treated with humanity. Torture and ill-treatment are prohibited under all circumstances, as ICRC emphasizes.

International humanitarian law, also known as “international law of war”, ensures that the suffering of the civilian population is reduced to a minimum in conflicts. This includes specific provisions that ensure the protection of cultural property and public facilities. In addition, military actions must be proportionate and not unnecessarily endanger civilians.

Legal framework in war

The international law of war regulates the authorization to use military force and the treatment of combatants and non-combatants, based on the principles of international law. In this context, the legality of war and compliance with the rules in war are of central importance. Although wars are fundamentally contrary to international law, there are exceptions, for example in the case of self-defense or a mandate from the UN Security Council, as Wikipedia explains.

The developments in international criminal law and international efforts to punish war crimes show the importance of international humanitarian law. The International Criminal Court (ICC), founded in 2002, has combated such crimes and will continue to promote respect for these fundamental rights.

In the declining humanity that characterizes many conflicts, compliance with international humanitarian law remains fundamental to protecting civilians in times of crisis and minimizing the devastating effects of war on people's lives.