The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the publication of the Annual report of the UN Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and the inclusion for the first time of the Armed Forces and security forces of the Russian Federation and associated groups in the list of parties credibly suspected of committing systematic acts of sexual violence in conflict – the so-called “list of shame”.
This is an important step towards establishing the truth, restoring justice and ensuring accountability for the crimes committed by the Russian Federation in the course of its aggression against Ukraine.
During the Russian aggression, thousands of Ukrainian citizens – women, men and children – were subjected to sexual violence by the military and occupation structures of the Russian Federation. The situation of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees is of particular concern. Almost every released person testifies to sexual violence, torture, humiliation and other forms of inhuman treatment in Russian captivity.
The Russian Federation uses sexual violence as a method of warfare, a tool of terror, intimidation and the destruction of human dignity. Ukraine is grateful to all relevant structures and UN officials for recognizing this reality.
It is significant that the Russian Federation now appears on the lists of violators under two key mandates created by the UN Security Council – on children and armed conflict, as well as on conflict-related sexual violence. This is another international confirmation of the criminal nature of the Putin regime and the systemic nature of the crimes it commits.
At the same time, we are convinced that the matter should not be limited to just another report or inclusion in the list of violators. It is time to move from declarations to tangible actions aimed at ensuring the responsibility of the Russian Federation and its representatives. In particular, Russian military personnel involved in systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law cannot participate in UN peacekeeping operations.
The facts set out in the UN Secretary-General’s report and their qualifications will form the basis for further international efforts to hold Russia and perpetrators accountable. Full and comprehensive accountability for conflict-related sexual violence is part of accountability for Russian aggression in general.
At the same time, Ukraine will continue to systematically strengthen its national mechanisms for responding to sexual violence. Our country has ratified the Rome Statute, ensures unimpeded access for international monitoring missions, and continues to improve mechanisms for supporting victims, particularly through the implementation of legislation on victims’ rights and interim reparations.
We highly appreciate the cooperation with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and her team, including the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict. Today’s publication and inclusion of the aggressor state in the “list of shame” were also made possible by the systematic work of Ukrainian diplomats, the contribution of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy, and representatives of the non-governmental sector. The significant intensification of this interaction after the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022 also made an important contribution to strengthening the capacities of Ukrainian law enforcement and judicial bodies, improving legislation, expanding victims’ access to legal aid, and introducing more needs-sensitive approaches.
Ukraine will continue to work together with international partners to overcome the consequences of sexual violence, provide support to victims, and hold the Russian Federation and all perpetrators accountable.
The full text of the report is available at the following link: https://news.un.org/en/sites/default/files/atoms/files/secretary-general-report-on-sexual-violence-in-conflict.pdf