Group Statement - UNHCR 92nd Standing Committee - Agenda item 3a Regional updates: Europe
UNHCR 92nd Standing Committee 12 March 2025
Agenda item 3a Regional updates: Europe
Statement by like-minded European States
Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of 35 European like-minded states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco, Moldova, the Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and my own country, Poland.
It is with deep concern that we look at the number of forcibly displaced persons in the world and the decrease in funding available to alleviate their suffering and to provide for durable solutions for them, and the lack of sufficient political will to address these challenges effectively. We express our sincere appreciation for the work of UNHCR staff and its partner humanitarian organisations on the ground, which is crucial for delivering life-saving protection and assistance.
We call for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law and accountability for its violations, to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitating unhindered humanitarian access. We will continue stepping up action to uphold international law, including international refugee law and human rights in relation to refugees, internally displaced persons and, in particular the fundamental right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement, in line with the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, and paying particular attention to persons in marginalised or vulnerable situations.
We call on all States to prevent and combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling. We reaffirm our commitment to countering the instrumentalisation of asylum seekers and migrants for political purposes in full respect to human rights and international law.
Chair,
More than three years have passed since Russia started its brutal, unprovoked, unjustified and illegal full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, which has forced millions of persons from Ukraine to flee their homes. The killing of civilians continues unabated, and the lives of Ukrainians have been disrupted by the destruction of schools, hospitals, civilian objects, critical infrastructure, homes, and the energy system. This has severely hampered access to essential services such as healthcare, clean water, electricity and heating. Besides that, large plots of arable land were mined, disrupting production of food and people’s livelihoods. Massive forced displacement continues due to escalating and intense fighting along the frontline.
We reiterate our resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression. It constitutes an unacceptable violation of the UN Charter, as recalled by several UN General Assembly resolutions. Russia, and its leadership and allies must be held fully accountable for waging this war and for other most serious crimes under international law. We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders and its inherent right of self-defence against the Russian aggression. We will continue to do what it takes to support Ukraine and its people.
We welcome the adoption of the 2025 Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan, as well as the Regional Refugee Response Plan 2025-2026. We thank UNHCR for its vital work in delivering protection, shelter, multi-purpose cash and winterisation assistance, including in frontline areas. Protection needs deserve special attention. We call on UNHCR to continue providing adequate support, particularly to individuals in marginalised or vulnerable situations, such as persons with disabilities, children, older persons, and survivors of gender-based violence.
The Republic of Moldova has recently experienced an energy crisis. We call on UNHCR to continue addressing the most pressing needs of Ukrainian refugees and their hosts, while working towards inclusion in national social security systems. We will support Republic of Moldova efforts to enhance the country’s resilience and stability, as well as to strengthen its energy security.
Significant progress has been made in Armenia toward the integration of Karabakh Armenians. However, the transition from emergency support to sustainable solutions remains complex. After being forced to leave everything behind, most refugees still face limited access to stable housing and employment, heavily relying on governmental and humanitarian assistance. Armenia’s humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach underscores the need to strengthen protection systems, enhance legal support, and address mental health challenges comprehensively. UNHCR plays a key role in implementing this strategy while advancing the ‘One Refugee Approach’.
Thank you.