HRC55 - Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine - EU Statement

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HRC55 - Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine - EU Statement

19.03.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

55^th session

Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

19 March 2024

EU Statement

Mr President,

Two years have passed since Russia started its full scale invasion againstUkraine, causing immense human suffering and destruction,and ten years since Russia's aggression against Ukraine first started.

The images of Borodianka, Bucha, Irpin, Sumy, Mariupol, Kramatorsk, Izium and many more will stay with us.

The EU remains gravely concerned over the growing body of evidence of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and of war crimes.

The latest findings as presented by the Commission of Inquiry only confirm Russia's total disregard for international law, the continued use of explosive weapons in civilian areas, the use of torturein a widespread and systematic manner, the countless instances of extrajudicial executions, arbitrary detention and sexual violence, the ongoing destruction of homes and civilian infrastructure, the attacks affecting cultural objects, the deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia and their illegal adoption, the unacceptable treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war in detention facilities in Russia - Mr President, the list of violations is too long.

Meanwhile, every day, the number of victims is mounting.

The European Union will continue to support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes. Ukraine has the right to be free and independent and to choose its own path. The EU supports all meaningful efforts to bring an end to Russia's war. The path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace is for the aggressor to immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all its troops and military equipment from Ukraine and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The so-called elections held illegally by the Russian Federation in regions within the internationally recognised borders of Ukraine have no validity under international law.

Those responsible for the ongoing grave and massive violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law must be held fully accountable.

The EU stresses the importance of collecting, preserving and analysing evidence and welcomes the work of the Commission of Inquiry. Renewing the mandate of the Commission and providing it with the resources necessary to fulfil this mandate is therefore a priority.

Commissioners, what more can be done to advance the gathering of evidence?

I thank you.