Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s Oral Presentation on Ukraine and Interim Report of Secretary-General on Human Rights in Crimea
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council 50th Session
Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States welcomes the work of the Human Rights Monitoring Mechanism in Ukraine, the Ukraine Commission of Inquiry, and the UN Secretary General, as well as Ukraine’s ongoing cooperation with OHCHR. Russia’s armed forces must be held fully accountable for their violations of international humanitarian law and their human rights violations, abuses, and atrocities in Ukraine. The reported effects have been devastating.
We condemn Russia’s reported killing, abuse, and torture of civilians in Ukraine; the forced deportation of Ukrainian citizens and abduction of Ukrainian children; destruction and looting of residential properties; attacks on infrastructure, including hospitals; the confinement, mistreatment, and disappearance of civilians; gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence; denial of humanitarian aid and access; and destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Russia’s actions are an affront to humanity. We cannot stand by and be silent.
We also cannot accept Russia’s continued brutal occupation of Crimea. Crimea is Ukraine.
We are committed to supporting Ukraine’s efforts through the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group, a partnership to support Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General.
Madame High Commissioner, what further steps can the international community take to promote accountability for Russia’s forced deportation of Ukrainian citizens and abduction of Ukrainian children?
I thank you.
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