JST of the GoF AAU – Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at 54th Session of UN Human Rights Council
Delivered by Chargé d-affairs, Anne Bækkel Kjær, on behalf of the Group of Friends
25 September 2023 – Geneva, Switzerland
Mr. President, Mr Chair,
I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the 'Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine'.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is clear ‘No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
This prohibition on torture applies at all times, in all circumstances.
But even as we are commemorating the 75th anniversary of the UDHR this year, countless of Ukrainians have suffered torture and other grievous acts at the hands of the Russian authorities , depriving Ukrainians of their inherent dignity and their aspiration to live free from fear.
We say to these survivors, we see you. We stand with you.
Mr. Chair,
Your reporting is clear.
The Commission has found a widespread pattern of torture and inhuman treatment committed by Russian authorities, which may amount to crimes against humanity.
You have gathered evidence that a wide range of grave human rights and humanitarian law violations, many amounting to war crimes, have been committed .
Impunity for international crimes is not an option.
We will continue to seek full accountability, including for the crime of aggression. Because victims deserve justice.
We, therefore, welcome the reporting of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the work of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and relevant UN Special Procedure mandate holders, the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court into the Situation in Ukraine, the operationalization of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the establishment of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the work of the Core Group towards a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr. President.
List of members of the Group of Friends of Accountability for the Aggression against Ukraine.
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. Republic of the Marshall Islands
30. Moldova
31. Montenegro
32. Kingdom of the Netherlands
33. New Zealand
34. North Macedonia
35. Norway
36. Poland
37. Portugal
38. Republic of Korea
39. Romania
40. Slovakia
41. Slovenia
42. Spain
43. Sweden
44. Switzerland
45. Ukraine
46. United Kingdom
47. United States
48. EU Delegation
