The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption on April 4 by the UN Human Rights Council of the resolution “Situation of human rights in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression” initiated by Ukraine (link to the resolution https://docs.un.org/A/HRC/58/L.22).

The document extends for another year the mandate of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, as well as crimes related to the Russian aggression against Ukraine. During the three years of its work, the Commission has documented numerous facts and evidence of crimes committed by the Russian military.

On the day the resolution was adopted, Russian criminals launched a barbaric ballistic missile attack on a residential area in Kryvyi Rih, killing 18 people, including 9 children. This is another Russian crime that must be documented by the Commission.

In its resolution, the UN Human Rights Council reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine and condemned the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine as a gross violation of the UN Charter.

The resolution strongly condemns the numerous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law committed by the aggressor state, in particular the ongoing attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, resulting in numerous casualties and depriving the population of access to vital services; mass torture and enforced disappearances, which are part of Russia's state policy and constitute crimes against humanity; the deportation and forced transfer of civilians, including children; the intentional killing of prisoners of war and hors de combat; sexual violence as a form of torture; militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children and youth; spreading of disinformation and incitement to hatred against Ukraine and Ukrainians; actions aimed at changing the demographic and ethnic structure of the population in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

The document emphasizes the importance of accountability for these crimes and specifically recognizes the work of the International Register of Damages for Ukraine and efforts to establish a Claims Commission for Ukraine.

The UN Human Rights Council calls on Russia and Belarus to halt deporting Ukrainian children and take measures to ensure their unconditional and safe return to their homeland.

The document also states the need for the immediate repatriation of severely wounded and criticially ill prisoners of war, and the release of all civilians detained in violation of international humanitarian law.

The resolution demands that Russia cease the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, including sexual and gender-based violence.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is grateful to the States that supportred the resolution, which is another important step towards ensuring accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

We urge the international community to take concrete measures to prevent criminals from fleeing responsibility for crimes they have committed and to promote justice for all victims of aggression.

It is crucial that all those who violate international humanitarian law and human rights are brought to justice, and that victims are provided with the necessary aid and reparation.

For reference: the resolution on the human rights situation in Ukraine stemming from the Russian aggression was supported by 25 countries, with 18 abstentions and 4 votes against (Burundi, Ethiopia, China and Sudan).