United Nations Human Rights Council

56^th session

Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner on Ukraine (res. 50/30) and on the interim report of the SG on situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine (GA res. 77/221)

9 July 2024

EU Statement

Mr. President, High Commissioner,

The European Union condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and Russia’s continuing violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in Ukraine, including arbitrary detentions, torture, ill-treatment, enforced disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence and the unlawful transfer and deportation of civilians including children.

The European Union deplores yesterday’s Russian missile attack against the children’s hospital in Kyiv. Such attack constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

We are deeply alarmed by the findings of your report highlighting the Russian attacks on civilian objects, including large-scale destruction of critical energy infrastructure depriving people of services essential for their survival. In their attacks on civilian infrastructure, the Russian armed forces have employed a so-called “double-tap” tactic, where an initial strike is followed by a second strike, killing first responders, as they arrived to save lives. This method of war is not only morally despicable, it is a violation of international law.

We are deeply concerned by the testimonies of a large number of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, who, upon their release, shared credible information of torture whilst being held in Russian captivity. The PoWs and civilian detainees shared how the torture stopped a week before the visits of the Russian Ombudsperson.

The distressing findings in your report rightfully emphasize the need to ensure accountability for the grave violations of international law committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

Mr. President,

Could you address, from the perspective of international law and human rights law, the growing evidence that attacks on civilian infrastructure are being used as a broader military strategy by Russia?