On 19 December 2023, the UN General Assembly adopted an updated resolution on "Situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol", with 78 votes in favour.

The scope of this year's document, unlike previous similar resolutions, is extended to include the human rights situation in all the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation in order to increase the attention of the UN and the international community to all the crimes and gross violations committed by the Russian occupying authorities against the local population in these territories.

The General Assembly reaffirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and the non-recognition of any changes in the status of Ukrainian territories, including the results of any so-called "elections".

We appreciate the fact that the status of the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as integral parts of the sovereign territory of Ukraine, remains a principled position of the General Assembly.

In this regard, the UN General Assembly demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease its aggression against Ukraine and withdraw all its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

The resolution condemns Russia's continued disregard for international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the illegal detention of Ukrainian civilians, the use of torture and ill-treatment, and discrimination against residents of the temporarily occupied territories.

The General Assembly urges the Russian Federation to cease deportations of Ukrainian children, any change in the status of these children, and to provide comprehensive information to relevant UN agencies and international organizations, in particular a list of all deported Ukrainian children, including those whose status has been changed, adopted or placed in foster families as well as to take all necessary measures to ensure the safe return of these children back home. In this context, reference is made to the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for Putin and Lvova-Belova.

The resolution refers to the decision of the UN Secretary-General to include the armed forces of the Russian Federation and affiliated armed groups in the temporarily occupied territories in the so-called "list of shame" in the report "Children and Armed Conflict" for killing children and attacking schools and hospitals.

The General Assembly emphasizes that the Russian Federation, as the occupying Power, bears full responsibility for the devastated consequences for the economy, agricultural activities and ecology of the region caused by the explosion of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Station in the territory it occupies, and condemns the refusal of the Russian Federation to allow UN humanitarian access to assist the affected population.  

The General Assembly also condemns the seizure of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and its personnel and the creation of ongoing risks and threats, particularly unprecedented nuclear and radiation hazards, to the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community, as well as targeted terrorist attacks with missiles and UAVs against civilian infrastructure, resulting in heavy civilian casualties.

The resolution indicates the inadmissibility of attacks on Ukrainian civilian port infrastructure and grain terminals, the ongoing blockade of Ukrainian ports, and threats of force against civilian and commercial vessels are unacceptable and cause significant damage to global food security.

We are grateful to the international community for supporting our country in defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty, human rights and fundamental freedoms. The return of respect for these principles will be the most effective way to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine and strengthen European and global security.

The clear stance of the UN member states that supported the resolution will help bring to justice all those involved in gross human rights violations and war crimes and prevent the recurrence of such crimes in the future.