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EU Statement marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, 19 June and the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June

30.06.2026 Press and information team of the Delegation to the COUNCIL OF EUROPE in Strasbourg

  1. Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine continues to stand out as the most egregious example of widespread and systematic use of torture, as documented by international mechanisms including UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. 

  2. We note with deep regret Russia’s denunciation of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture, which is due to take effect on 1 November 2026. 

  3. For the fourth year in a row, the UN Secretary-General has blacklisted Russia’s armed forces for committing grave violations against children. The SG has now also listed Russia for conflict-related sexual violence. 

  4. According to the last UN Secretary General’s Report, patterns of sexual violence in temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia continued to be documented in 2025. The human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine verified cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, genital mutilation, electric shocks and beatings to the genitals, affecting at least 280 men, 26 women and 4 girls, perpetrated by Russian armed and security forces, including the Federal Penitentiary Service, the Russian armed forces and the Federal Security Service. 

  5. The physical, psychological and social harm of such violence is devastating and long-lasting, both for the survivors who face trauma, stigmatization and exclusion, as well as for their caregivers and communities. 

  6. In Ukraine, the EU supports national stakeholders in implementing policies related to conflict-related sexual violence and accountability mechanisms. It collaborates with the UN to strengthen institutional capacities to that effect, including through coordination with civil society. 

  7. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. We stand in solidarity with the victims and survivors in Ukraine, as well as their families and communities.

  8. We reaffirm the EU’s commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and the other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, we welcome the ratification on behalf of the European Union of the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine as well as progress on the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. It encourages further sustained efforts within the framework of the Council of Europe towards the operationalisation of these two international bodies.

The following countries aligned with this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.