On 19 March, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa met with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O'Flaherty, who is currently visiting Ukraine.

Mariana Betsa drew attention to Russia's massive violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against civilians and Ukrainian prisoners of war. These include daily shelling of civilian infrastructure, extrajudicial killings, torture, forced transfer, unlawful detention and other crimes committed by the aggressor state and its war criminals.

“We count on the continued engagement of the Council of Europe to push for accountability, support investigations, and advocate for justice for the victims of Russian atrocities. We anticipate that your reports will be facts based and reliable sources of information for Member States of the Council of Europe and for international community as a whole”, the Deputy Minister said.

Mariana Betsa focused on the illegal deportation of Ukrainian citizens, including children, by Russia. The Deputy Minister thanked the Council of Europe for joining and actively participating in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and welcomed the appointment of the Special Envoy of Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine. “We are convinced that this appointment will further strengthen international efforts for the return and protection of Ukrainian children", stressed Mariana Betsa.

The Council of Europe Commissioner has confirmed that he will continue to defend human rights in Ukraine, including in the territories temporarily occupied by Russia, and to promote justice and accountability, within the framework of his mandate.