Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council – 51st Session
Thank you, Mr. President and to Mr. Mose. The commission’s briefing shines a light on Russia’s blatant and numerous human rights violations and abuses in its unprovoked war against Ukraine.
Russia’s war, as President Biden told the General Assembly, “is about extinguishing Ukraine’s right to exist as a state, plain and simple, and Ukraine’s right to exist as a people.”
The evidence of Russia’s atrocities becomes more horrifying by the day, most recently with the uncovering of mass graves in Izyum where the bodies show signs of torture.
We urge the Commissioners to continue to examine the growing evidence of Russia’s filtration operations, forced deportations, and disappearances.
Numerous sources indicate Russian authorities have interrogated, detained, and/or forcibly deported between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian citizens.
The Russian government is reportedly deporting children from Ukraine, separating them from their families, and abducting them from orphanages for adoption in Russia.
We call on Russia to end these actions immediately, release those detained, and allow individuals to return home promptly and safely.
The United States and our partners are committed to ensuring Ukraine can defend itself. We are also committed to accountability for Russia’s war crimes and other abuses. We thank the COI for its work.
Question: Mr. Mose, what more can we do to support the COI to ensure robust reporting and accountability for Russia’s human rights violations and abuses in Ukraine?
I thank you.
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