UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

59^th session

Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner's oral update on the situation of human rights in Ukraine and the interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation in human rights in Crimea

3 July 2025

EU statement

Mr President,

The European Union thanks the High Commissioner for his update. 

We share your alarm over the increasing number of civilians killed and injured due to Russia’s use of drones and explosive weapons with wide area effect in urban areas. 

Your report also indicates that ‘widespread violations against Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian armed forces continue’. The EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the increasing number of summary executions of prisoners of war, as well as systemic and widespread use of torture against them, including through sexual violence. We note with grave concern that, according to the reports of the Commission of Inquiry, the Russian authorities have acted pursuant to a coordinated state policy and have therefore committed crimes against humanity.

We call on Russia to uphold international human rights and humanitarian law and ensure unimpeded access of the ICRC and human rights monitoring mechanisms to prisoners of war and civilian detainees. 

The EU also continues to strongly condemn the use of torture and other forms of ill-treatment, arbitrary detentions, unlawful deportations and forcible transfers, discrimination and other violations directed at civilians in the temporarily occupied regions of Ukraine and to express grave concern at the militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian minors and youth by Russia, which your office continues to report. 

International law is unambiguous when it comes to the protection of children affected by conflict. All violations against children, including their unlawful deportation and forcible transfer, must stop. All Ukrainian children and civilian detainees held by Russia must be returned to Ukraine immediately and safely.

The EU encourages further efforts to ensure accountability for all international crimes and human rights violations and abuses stemming from the Russian war of aggression.

High Commissioner, 

Can you elaborate on the finding in your report of increased recruitment and use of Ukrainian children by Russia in the context of its war of aggression?

Thank you.