Item 2 - Interactive dialogue on the oral update of the High Commissioner on the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Mariupol (Ukraine) (HRC res. S-34/1) JST (16.06.22)

UN Human Rights Council, 50th session

Interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on her oral update on the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Mariupol

Joint statement by the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression against Ukraine

Delivered by Albania

 

Mr. President,

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the 46 member states in Geneva of the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression against Ukraine.

We thank the High Commissioner for her update and welcome this important opportunity to discuss Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

It is a discussion that concerns us all, as Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine violates the UN Charter and international law, which underpin peaceful coexistence and global security. Safeguarding this rests on our collective ability to ensure accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims, in Mariupol and elsewhere. We urge Russia to abide by its obligations under international law, confirmed by the legally binding ICJ order of 16th March 2022.

We remain horrified by continued reports of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, forced deportations of children followed by threat of illegal adoption, rape and other sexual and gender-based violence in Ukraine. We call on all parties to strictly respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law and seek individual accountability.

We are furthermore deeply concerned about the grave effects of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine on global food security and energy systems. Developing countries and persons in vulnerable situations are particularly affected.

The Group of Friends welcomes the many initiatives to collect evidence and investigate crimes committed during the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, including those by the Commission of Inquiry and the ICC, as well as the valuable support of the Office of the High Commissioner to these endeavours. We encourage all involved actors to strengthen coordination to ensure effectiveness and to avoid re-traumatization of victims. Civil society actors continue to have an important role in documenting violations and abuses.

We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its courageous people.

Madame High Commissioner, how can we best pursue accountability when access to Mariupol and other regions under temporary Russian control in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine are restricted by Russia, and given the alleged deportation of people from Ukraine to Russia, including victims and witnesses?

Thank you.

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Signatories:

  1. Albania
  2. Australia
  3. Austria
  4. Belgium
  5. Bosnia-Herzegovina
  6. Bulgaria
  7. Canada
  8. Colombia
  9. Croatia
  10. Cyprus
  11. Czech Republic
  12. Denmark
  13. Estonia
  14. Finland
  15. France
  16. Georgia
  17. Germany
  18. Greece
  19. Guatemala
  20. Iceland
  21. Ireland
  22. Italy
  23. Japan
  24. Latvia
  25. Liechtenstein
  26. Lithuania
  27. Luxembourg
  28. Malta
  29. Marshall Islands
  30. Montenegro
  31. Netherlands
  32. New Zealand
  33. North Macedonia
  34. Norway
  35. Poland
  36. Portugal
  37. Republic of Korea
  38. Romania
  39. Slovakia
  40. Slovenia
  41. Spain
  42. Sweden
  43. Switzerland
  44. Ukraine
  45. United Kingdom
  46. United States