Dr. Kateryna Bondar Urges UN Accountability for Russia’s War Crimes in Ukraine During UN Human Rights Council Dialogue
April 6, 2024
Dr Kateryna Bondar addressing the UN Human Rights Council on behalf of the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations WFUWO at the UN during the interactive dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on 2 April 2024.
« We thank the High Commissioner for the report, which shows complete denial by the Russian Federation of international law including international humanitarian law and human rights in occupied territories.
For over two years, Russia has persisted in inflicting upon Ukraine the most brutal and serious acts recognized as crimes under international law, such as the deliberate targeting of civilians in its constant shelling of Ukrainian towns and villages and targeted terrorist attacks. In one week only Russia launched 190 missiles, 140 shahed drones and 700 bombs.
Russia is guilty of numerous campaigns of destruction against the Ukrainian nation: killings, deportations, abduction of children into Russia, enforced disappearances, filtration camps, widespread torture and ill-treatment and sexual violence against prisoners of war and civilians including women and children. Environment of repression in occupied territories, including arbitrary detentions and prosecution of thousands of Ukrainian civilians who are held captive by Russia – public officials, civil servants, religious figures, activists, journalists, and anyone who may be opposing the occupation or deemed pro-Ukrainian, destruction or suppression of all Ukrainian, imposition of Russian curricula and identity on local population, transfers, depopulation and changing demographics – these are all clear genocidal patterns.
We will continue to insist on the proper naming and recognition of war crimes and crimes against humanity being perpetrated by Russia in Ukraine. The world community must bring Russia to full accountability for its words and deeds and grant victims compensation for the consequences of Russia’s crime of aggression.»