HRC50 - NB8 statement - ID on HC's oral presentation on Ukraine and Interim Report of Secretary General on the situation of human rights in Crimea

Human Rights Council – 50th session

Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s oral presentation on Ukraine and Interim Report of Secretary General on the situation of human rights in Crimea

Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries

5 July 2022

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries.

We thank the High Commissioner for the update and welcome the report.

After more than 4 months, we continue to be horrified by Russia’s unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. The killing of thousands of civilians, including children, and the apparent deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure is unacceptable and may amount to war crimes. Russia must be held accountable for its actions. 

The alarming situation of human rights in the Crimean Peninsula and in areas of eastern Ukraine not controlled by its government is deteriorating further. Reported arbitrary detentions, instances of torture and ill-treatment, forced relocation, placement in filtration camps and persecution of Crimean Tatars cannot be tolerated and must stop.

We urge Russia to grant international and regional human rights monitoring mechanisms unimpeded access to Crimea and conflict areas in Ukraine, and ensure an impartial investigation of all allegations of human rights violations and abuses.

We urge Russia to unconditionally withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine. We reiterate our support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence of Ukraine and for its democratic future.

Madam High Commissioner, what would be your suggestions to most effectively support human rights defenders in Ukraine?