United Nations Human Rights Council
52nd Session
Item 10 - Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Ukraine
31 March 2023
EU Statement
Mr President,
The EU thanks High Commissioner Türk for his update.
We thank the Office for its recent reports on the human rights situation in Ukraine and the issue of the treatment of prisoners of war.
We share the High Commissioner’s dismay over the scale of destruction and magnitude of civilian casualties as a result of Russia’s brutal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. This blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, has caused immense suffering to the people of Ukraine, a sovereign and independent country, as well as to people around the world, and challenged the entire rules-based international order.
The victims and survivors of Russia’s war of aggression and of the atrocity crimes committed on Ukrainian soil have a right to justice and to reparations. Therefore, the EU continues to support all accountability efforts.
Mr High Commissioner,
Could you elaborate on the findings that your office has made on the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to territories temporarily under Russian military control and to Russia? Can you also address the growing evidence of sexual and gender-based violence being used, including against prisoners of war, and as a broader military tactic by Russia?
Mr President,
The European Union will continue to work with Ukraine on its 10-point peace plan and will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes. The EU remains unwavering in its support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its pursuit of accountability for all violations of international law, including the crime of aggression.