**UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL**
**58th session**
**Interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine**
**18 March 2025**
**Statement by 35 European states**
Mr President,I have the honour to speak on behalf of 35 European states: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
We are deeply concerned about the latest findings by the Commission of Inquiry. Three full years into Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the evidence gathered lead the Commission to conclude that Russia is committing crimes against humanity and war crimes in the context of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The report documents how Russia commits widespread enforced disappearances against large numbers of civilians and prisoners of war and widely and systematically uses the most brutal forms of torture against both male and female detainees, including rape and other forms of sexual violence. Importantly, the Commission concludes that these crimes are perpetrated pursuant to a coordinated state policy. Additionally, Russian armed forces continue to wilfully wound or execute Ukrainian soldiers who were captured or attempted to surrender. We also remain deeply concerned about the fate of all Ukrainian children forcibly transferred or unlawfully deported.
Mr President,These atrocities must not go unpunished. Russia – the aggressor – must be held accountable. We demand that Russia immediately halts its war of aggression, including the dreadful atrocities recounted in the report and its unrelenting strikes against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure. We reiterate our call on Russia to end the unlawful practice of deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children and their illegal adoption, militarization and indoctrination, and to ensure their immediate and safe return to Ukraine.We reiterate our support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, in line with the principles of the UN Charter and international law. Russia’s aggression must not be rewarded.Commissioners,What are possible next steps now that these crimes have been established in your report, and how can we support you in implementing these steps?
I thank you.