Geneva, 8 October 2024

Mr. President,

We thank the High Commissioner for his oral briefing and support the findings of the OHCHR report on the human rights situation in Ukraine.

Mr. High Commissioner,

You describe an extreme situation in the occupied areas of Ukraine. Russia is mistreating, torturing and killing Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Russia is imposing the Russian language, citizenship, laws, judicial system and educational programs, and is repressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity, which have had a particular impact on children.

We strongly condemn these actions, which may constitute widespread violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Russia’s persistent attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure deprive millions of people of access to water, heat or electricity and continue to cause suffering to innocent civilians, including women and children, as winter approaches.

These cruel attacks apparently do not spare any civilian facilities including hospitals, schools, supermarkets, public buildings and even retirement homes.

Albania will continue to support all efforts aimed at obtaining full accountability for these violations and crimes under international law.

Finally, we believe that any technical assistance provided to Ukraine in the field of human rights is a direct contribution to respecting, protecting and improving human rights and the lives of this population that continues to suffer from this aggression that it neither sought nor provoked.

Thank you.