Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
New Zealand thanks the High Commissioner for this intersessional update on the human rights situation in Ukraine. We strongly support continued focus on this situation. Russia’s conduct over the last 22 months has only further underlined the necessity of ongoing close international scrutiny of the human rights situation.
We are deeply concerned by the continued reports of human rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine, including: wilful killings; unlawful confinement; torture; rape and other sexual violence; and unlawful transfers and deportations of protected persons and children. We call for full respect of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and for the Russian Federation to allow OHCHR access to those areas of Ukraine under its occupation. Victims and survivors of human rights violations, including sexual violence, must be provided with the necessary support.
Let us be clear: the dire human rights situation in Ukraine is a direct result of Russia’s full-scale, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and its ongoing war of aggression. We strongly support efforts to ensure that all perpetrators of human rights violations are held fully accountable. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
High Commissioner, what more can be done to protect prisoners of war from torture, including sexual violence?
I thank you.