50th Session of the Human Rights Council: ID on the oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Crimea

50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

5 July 2022

Item 10: ID on the oral update of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of Secretary-General on the situation of human rights in Crimea

Statement by Iceland

Thank you, Mr. President.

We thank the High Commissioner for the update and welcome the report.

It has been more than four months now since Russia launched its brutal war against Ukraine, which has caused widespread destruction and unspeakable suffering of civilians. We urge Russia to immediately cease all attacks and deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, which constitute serious violations under international humanitarian law.

The human rights situation in Crimea and all other Russia-occupied areas of Ukraine continues to deteriorate. We are appalled by increasing reports of arbitrary detentions, executions, sexual and gender-based violence, torture and other ill-treatment, and enforced displacement. We strongly reiterate that international human rights law and international humanitarian law must be upheld.

Russia bears the full responsibility for all destruction and loss of life of civilians it is causing. Those responsible for human rights violations and abuses must be brought to justice.

Mr. President,

Iceland’s support for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity remains firm. We reiterate our call on Russia to immediately withdraw all its troops from the entire territory of Ukraine without precondition, and to fully comply with its obligations under international law.

I thank you.