Human Rights Council

Geneva, 20 September 2024

 

Mr. President,

 

We thank the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine for its update.

 

We reiterate our strong condemnation of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine.

 

This aggression continues to cause thousands of victims, destruction, hardship and painful suffering for the civilian population. The aggressor, which is Russia, continues to ignore the fundamental rules and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

 

The situation in the occupied territory of Ukraine is extremely worrying. The Russian authorities continue to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity. The barbarities committed in Ukraine, as a result of the Russian aggression, must end.

 

The CoI continues to report that Russia is illegally detaining civilians, and that the Russians are responsible for the forcible transfer of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia. We reiterate our strong condemnation of these practices.

 

Albania supports continued efforts to end impunity and ensure accountability. In this regard, we encourage the work of the CoI to continue investigations into all violations and crimes so that perpetrators responsible for their actions do not go unpunished. We owe the victims justice and reparation, which contributes to non-repetition.

 

Finally, in the name of the UN Charter, its rules and principles, we must all demand that Russia cease this aggression, and fully respect the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. This is a matter of international security, respect for human dignity and human rights.

 

Thank you.