Human Rights Council

Interactive Dialogue on the presentation by the High Commissioner on the findings of the OHCHR report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine

Wednesday 08 January 2025

Thank you Mr. President,

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

We are deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Ukraine as a result of the Russian aggression.

Albania regrets that Russia has so far denied the OHCHR access to the occupied and controlled areas, and calls on Russia to ensure immediate and unhindered access for the Office to all places where Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees are being held.

Mme. Deputy High Commissioner,

You describe an extreme situation in the occupied areas of Ukraine. Russia continues to mistreat, torture and kill Ukrainian prisoners of war. Russia is destroying civilian infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.

The forcible transfer of children from Ukraine to Russia continues and for this reason Albania condemns the systematic program of adoption and forced placement of Ukrainian children by Russia, stressing that it constitutes a serious violation of children’s rights and international law, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Geneva Conventions.

Albania will support all initiatives of the Council aimed at helping Ukraine improve the human rights situation and reaffirms support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Thank you.