U.S. Mission to International
Organizations in Geneva

The United States Joined the Following Joint Statement at the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council

Joint Statement of the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression Against Ukraine
Interactive Dialogue on Ukraine with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
53rd Session of UN Human Rights Council
Delivered by Ambassador Paul Bekkers, Kingdom of the Netherlands
On Behalf of the Group of Friends
Geneva, Switzerland

Mr. President, Mr High Commissioner,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the ‘Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine’.

763 men, 94 women, and 7 boys unlawfully detained, 72 men and 5 women summarily executed.

These numbers, presented in your reports, paint a clear picture of the serious violations of international humanitarian law and egregious human rights violations and abuses perpetrated since the launch of Russia’s full-scale, unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. They depict the blatant disregard of the Russian authorities for their obligations under international law. But they only form the tip of the iceberg of human suffering as the OHCHR has recorded 25,170 civilian casualties since 24^th February 2022.

Behind these numbers, there are individuals, their families and loved ones who suffer. This we must never forget. Especially not here, at this Council, which seeks to uphold the inherent dignity of every person.

Human dignity that has been denied time and time again by Russia. As shown by your report more than 91 per cent of civilian detainees held by Russia have been subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including through sexual violence.

These alarming findings from your report reinforce the need to ensure accountability for the serious crimes under international law committed on the territory of Ukraine, and ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

We, therefore, welcome the reporting of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, work by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the investigation into the Ukraine situation by the International Criminal Court, the operationalization of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, the establishment of the Council of Europe’s Register of Damage, and the work of the Core Group towards a tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine. We call for work to continue on the path towards full accountability.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Members of the Group of Friends of Accountability for the Aggression against Ukraine.

1. Albania
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Belgium
5. Bosnia-Herzegovina
6. Bulgaria
7. Canada
8. Colombia
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus
11. Czech Republic
12. Denmark
13. Estonia
14. Finland
15. France
16. Georgia
17. Germany
18. Greece
19. Guatemala
20. Iceland
21. Ireland
22. Italy
23. Japan
24. Latvia
25. Liechtenstein
26. Lithuania
27. Luxembourg
28. Malta
29. Republic of the Marshall Islands
30. Moldova
31. Montenegro
32. Kingdom of the Netherlands
33. New Zealand
34. North Macedonia
35. Norway
36. Poland
37. Portugal
38. Republic of Korea
39. Romania
40. Slovakia
41. Slovenia
42. Spain
43. Sweden
44. Switzerland
45. Ukraine
46. United Kingdom
47. United States
48. EU Delegation