HRC52 – Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
Geneva, 21 March 2023
 
National statement
delivered by
 
H.E. Ms. Ravesa Lleshi
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Albania in Geneva
 
 
Mr. President,
 
The barbaric atrocities highlighted in the report presented by the Commission of Inquiry were well known. They became painfully clear once the initial shock at Russia’s aggression against Ukraine wore off, and we all had to face the evil unleashed against the people of Ukraine.
 
We thank the Commissioners for their thorough, professional and careful work, and the clarity of their findings:
 

• that evidence collected shows that Russian authorities have committed a wide range of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in many regions of Ukraine and in the Russian Federation;
   
• that evidence collected shows a widespread pattern of summary executions in areas that Russian armed forces controlled;
   
• that evidence collected shows a pattern of attacks against civilians on the move in territories under Russian armed forces’ control;
   
• that evidence collected shows that sexual violence amounting to torture, and the threat of such, have been important aspects of the torture exercised by Russian authorities.
   

Findings based on evidence, as are the forced transfer and deportation of children, which prompted the ICC to issue indictments against President Putin and his henchwoman for war crimes against the youngest Ukrainians, but also crimes explicitly part of the 1948 Genocide Convention.
 
This is Russia’s war of choice, perpetrated with clear intent, broadcast far and wide, even for those who’d rather not hear.
 
We thank the Commission of Inquiry for its work to date and fully support the extension of its mandate in pursuit of accountability for the perpetrators and justice for the victims of Russia’s aggression.
 
I thank you.