Human Rights Council – 61nd Session
Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of Accountability
Item 4 - Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Delivered by the Republic of Albania on behalf of the Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine.
13.03.2026
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the ‘Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine.’
Throughout the last four years, the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has continued to report credible evidence of serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law committed by Russian authorities. We remain appalled by continued reports that Ukrainians have endured grave suffering at the hands of Russian forces, including torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Russia continued to strike civilian and energy infrastructure leaving millions without heating, electricity and water in a very harsh winter in Ukraine. We are also alarmed by the recent report of the Commission of Inquiry concluding that the deportation and forcible transfer of children from five oblasts in Ukraine amount to crimes against humanity.
The Group of Friends reiterates its unwavering commitment to supporting efforts aimed at bringing the perpetrators to justice and preventing further crimes in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including the ICC investigation. In 2025, the legal foundation for the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the International Claims Commission was laid. We encourage all States to continue engaging with these efforts.
We will continue to work collectively to uphold accountability and to ensure justice and lasting peace for Ukraine.
Thank you.
- Albania
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Colombia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Republic of the Marshall Islands
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Kingdom of the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of Korea
- Romania
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- EU Delegation