UN General Assembly

Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the informal interactive dialogue on “Preserving human dignity in armed conflict: Promoting compliance with International Humanitarian Law” 

28 January 2025

Chair,

The Delegation of Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the delegation of the European Union and would like to make some comments in its national capacity.

We are grateful to the President of the General Assembly for initiating this dialogue and to all speakers and panelists for their insights.

For Ukraine, having endured nearly three years of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression, today’s discussion is critically important.

Russian Federation wages a daily war of terror against Ukrainian civilians, relentlessly targeting critical infrastructure—hospitals, schools, and residential areas—with a vast arsenal of destructive weapons, including hypersonic and aeroballistic missiles, guided bombs, and drones. The toll in lives and destruction is immense.

Despite global condemnation and repeated calls for the immediate repatriation of thousands of abducted Ukrainian children, Russian Federation obstructs their return.

The plight of Ukrainian prisoners in Russian captivity remains dire, as highlighted in the recent UNSC Arria-formula meeting on violations of IHL against Ukrainian POWs and civilian detainees.

The International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in its latest report concluded that use of torture by Russian authorities against Ukrainian civilians and POWs amount to crimes against humanity. I quote: “Victims described treatment inflicting considerable pain and suffering, with often irreparable, long-term mental and physical harm. Consistent methods and harsh treatment used by Russian authorities demonstrate a blatant disregard for physical integrity and human dignity”. End of quote.

Despite multiple appeals from relevant international organizations and mandate holders, Russia grants only very limited and selective access to Ukrainian detainees, while thousands remain incommunicado, enduring inhumane conditions. We urge the international community to intensify pressure on Russia to grant full and unhindered access to all detained Ukrainians—both military and civilian—as well as to forcibly deported children.

President,

While resisting Russian Federation’s unjustifiable war of aggression Ukraine remains fully committed to international law. Since 2014, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has operated in Ukraine at our government’s invitation. Since 2022, Ukraine has ensured full transparency in international monitoring, signing a Joint Prevention Plan on Children and Armed Conflict, ratifying the Rome Statute, and granting access to Russian POWs detention sites.

Furthermore, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has issued a Voluntary Report on the Implementation of International Humanitarian Law—an unprecedented initiative for a nation engaged in active defense—detailing efforts to integrate and uphold IHL. This report is publicly available.

For Ukraine compliance with International Humanitarian Law is a matter of survival. We will stand firm in actively supporting all efforts to promote it worldwide and bring those responsible for the IHL violations to accountability.

Thank you.

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Voluntary report of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on implementation of international humanitarian law: https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/mod.gov.ua-statics-bucket/Voluntary_report_Mo_D_in_IHL_0fae15454a.pdf