Intervention

by the delegation of Ukraine

during 80th UNGA Third Committee interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor

under agenda item "Promotion and protection of human rights"

16 October 2025

Chair,

Ukraine thanks for the presented report and expresses appreciation to the Special Rapporteur for her unwavering work in defending those who defend others.

We also acknowledge the truth reflected in the Secretary-General’s recent report A/80/315 titled “Situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol”. These findings remind us of the extraordinary bravery of those who continue their advocacy under Russian temporary occupation and constant threat to their own and their families’ lives.

The latest reports of international monitoring missions expose the scale of Russia’s cruelty in the temporarily occupied territories. No one is safe under Russia’s occupation.

There is no word strong enough to describe the courage of human rights defenders who act where rights are not only violated but where defending them can cost one’s life.

One of the most harrowing examples is Viktoriia Roshchyna, a 27-year-old Ukrainian journalist and human rights defender. She was captured in the summer of 2023 near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station. It was already her fourth reporting trip into occupied territory to expose Russia’s information complete blackout.

After A WHOLE YEAR in detention, Viktoriia died in Russian custody. Her body was returned to Ukraine just this February, bearing clear signs of torture. Her hair, once long and tipped blonde, had been shaved. Viktoriia died in the very system of abuse she sought to expose.

Her story embodies the immense risks faced by Ukrainian and international journalists and human rights defenders under occupation.

Ukraine reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring accountability for these crimes and to protecting all those who defend truth and justice.

We call upon the Special Rapporteur and the international community to continue documenting these violations.

We welcome cooperation with your mandate and other UN mechanisms to ensure that defenders receive the protection, recognition, and resources they need. We continue to strengthen our legal and institutional safeguards for human rights defenders, even in wartime.

Thank you.