UN Human Rights Council 58: UK Statement for the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. Delivered by the UK's Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.
Thank you, Mr Vice-President.
Welcome Commissioners. Your聽reporting has made clear that,聽for as long as Russia pursues its aggression against Ukraine, the Ukrainian people will be subject to immense suffering. We are of course shocked by your latest report, which lays bare Russia鈥檚 brutal treatment of detainees.聽
You conclude that Russia has committed torture, including sexual violence.聽And,聽for the first time,聽that聽enforced disappearances聽committed by Russia amount to a聽crime against humanity.聽
We are deeply disturbed by the聽systematic use of sexual violence against male detainees,聽and by new evidence of the war crimes of rape and sexual violence perpetrated against female detainees.
Detainees聽are subjected聽to聽abuses聽and,聽tragically, some have died.聽Their families are, understandably, in anguish.聽
This mistreatment is聽directed from聽the highest levels, pursuant to a coordinated Russian state policy. Evidence shows that Russian commanders gave orders聽to kill rather than take prisoners.聽
Commissioners,聽justice must be done.聽聽
We do, of course, encourage Ukraine聽to investigate fully your allegations against its authorities and armed forces.
But let there be no doubt: there聽is聽no equivalence between Russia and Ukraine. As a direct result of Russian aggression, Ukrainians across the country have faced violations and abuses of their right to life.
Russia must be held to account. We will stand with Ukraine for as long as this takes.