Remarks by the delegation of Ukraine

during the Interactive dialogue with the Chair of the Committee on Enforced Disappearances

(21 October 2025)

 

Distinguished Chair,

Ukraine thanks the Chair of the Committee and the Chair-Rapporteur for their continued attention to the issue of enforced disappearances. We reaffirm our full commitment to the implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, particularly in the context of the ongoing unprovoked Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.

According to the recent report of the Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, as well as findings from independent investigations, Russia continues to exercise the practice of enforced disappearances. The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has likewise found that Russian authorities committed enforced disappearances as crimes against humanity, which were carried out over a prolonged period as part of a widespread and systematic attack against civilian populations, pursuant to a coordinated State policy. These crimes are systematically used to silence the civilian population, suppress Ukrainian identity, and entrench Russia’s unlawful control over our sovereign land.

The fate of hundreds of Ukrainians – men, women, journalists, local officials, volunteers, and ordinary citizens – remains unknown. Many families have lived for months, even years, without any information about their loved ones. This suffering cannot and must not become normalized. Each of these disappearances is a human tragedy and a grave violation of international law that strikes at the very core of our shared humanity. Ukraine is determined to ensure that every victim is accounted for and that those responsible for these crimes face justice.

We welcome further dialogue and engagement with the Committee as part of Ukraine’s reporting and follow-up process, and we call upon increased attention of the Committee to the policy of enforced disappearances implemented by Russia.

Thank you.