HRC 60: Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Oral Update on Ukraine

Geneve, October 3, 2025

Delivered by Ambassador Vasilika Hysi, Permanent Representative  

Thank you, Mr. President,

Albania thanks the High Commissioner for his oral update and expresses strong support for his Office and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. Their work is indispensable in documenting violations and giving victims a voice.

We are deeply shocked by the findings of the most recent OHCHR report on civilians deprived of their liberty in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to the report more than 92 % of released Ukrainian civilian detainees interviewed had been subjected to torture or ill-treatment, including electric shocks, severe beatings, sexual violence, and threats against their families. It also documents enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention without charge, inhuman conditions, and at least 90 extrajudicial executions and 38 deaths in custody. Many detainees were deported illegally to the Russian Federation, in clear violation of international law.

These patterns are not isolated incidents, but systematic and widespread practices. They place Ukrainian civilians outside the protection of the law, and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Albania condemns, in the strongest terms, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression. We reject the illegal annexations of Ukrainian territory and reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

We call on the Russian Federation to immediately release all unlawfully detained civilians, cease torture and ill-treatment, and grant OHCHR and the ICRC unimpeded access to all detention facilities. Accountability for these crimes must be ensured.

Albania stands firmly with Ukraine and its people.

I thank you.