Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
Aotearoa New Zealand thanks the Commission of Inquiry for its update. We strongly support the mandate of the Commission. Russia’s conduct over the last 19 months has only further underlined the necessity of close international scrutiny of the human rights situation in Ukraine while that country remains under attack and occupation.
We are deeply concerned by the continued evidence of war crimes in Ukraine documented by the Commission including: wilful killings; unlawful confinement; torture; rape and other sexual violence; and unlawful transfers and deportations of protected persons and children.
Let us be clear: these crimes are a direct result of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its ongoing war of aggression. We fully endorse the Commission’s call for the Russian authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are held fully accountable.
While we are located more than 17,000km from Ukraine, as a small state New Zealand is acutely aware that Russia’s aggression, its conduct, and its continued disregard for international law and norms affect us all. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
We note that the Commission has highlighted the immense challenges faced by the Ukrainian legal system to provide accountability and justice to the victims in the spheres of investigation, prosecution and adjudication. New Zealand would like to ask the Commission: what more can be done by the international community to provide support for accountability?
Thank you, Mr President.