HRC58: Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights
The 58th Session of the Human Rights Council
24 Feb - 4 April 2025
Item 10: Technical assistance and capacity-building
28 March 2025
By Yazan Hamid / GICJ
Executive Summary
On 28 March 2025, during the 58th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, an interactive dialogue was held with High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, regarding the human rights situation in Ukraine. The meeting centered on the devastating impacts of Russia’s ongoing aggression and the urgent need for a human rights-based approach to peace.
High Commissioner Türk delivered a detailed oral update outlining the grave humanitarian consequences of the conflict. He emphasised that widespread human rights violations—ranging from civilian casualties to forced displacement and attacks on critical infrastructure—continue to occur in territories affected by Russia’s military operations. Türk called for immediate action to ensure accountability and stressed that peace must be grounded in international human rights and humanitarian law, not merely political compromise.
Several recurring themes emerged throughout the dialogue. Chief among them were the need for sustained global pressure to end the conflict, the call for justice and reparations for victims, and the necessity of a peace process that upholds the UN Charter and the rule of law. Delegates and civil society organisations stressed that any resolution to the conflict must prioritise accountability and the long-term protection of human rights.
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) strongly supports the High Commissioner’s call for a human rights–based approach to peace in Ukraine. GICJ unequivocally condemns the widespread and systematic violations committed by the Russian Federation, particularly those targeting children. This includes the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of children, the imposition of Russian citizenship, and the indoctrination of youth through militarised education in occupied territories.
Background
On 14 July 2023, during its 53rd session, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 53/30, titled "Cooperation with and Assistance to Ukraine in the Field of Human Rights." This resolution reaffirms the international community’s commitment to addressing the human rights consequences of the ongoing aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine. It underscores the importance of protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and calls for continued cooperation between Ukraine and the international human rights system.
The resolution acknowledges Ukraine’s efforts to uphold its human rights obligations despite the ongoing conflict. It commends the Ukrainian government for its openness to technical assistance and cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), especially through the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. These efforts are seen as essential in responding to ongoing human rights challenges, documenting violations, and identifying areas in need of support.
Resolution 53/30 also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability. It welcomes the High Commissioner’s reporting on the human rights situation in Ukraine and requests that oral updates continue to be delivered at every Council session until the 59th session. These updates will be followed by interactive dialogues, allowing member states to engage directly on the human rights situation and ensuring sustained attention to developments on the ground.The resolution further emphasises the need for international support to strengthen Ukraine’s human rights protections and institutions during wartime. It reflects a broad consensus among Council members on the importance of maintaining consistent monitoring and providing practical support in response to the crisis.
Adopted with 28 votes in favor, 3 against, and 16 abstentions, the resolution demonstrates significant global backing for Ukraine’s human rights efforts. While not unanimous, the vote signals strong support for multilateral engagement, continued monitoring, and technical cooperation with Ukraine as it navigates the ongoing consequences of war.
Report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Ukraine
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released a harrowing report detailing the human rights situation of children in Ukraine on 21 March 2025, covering the calendar year of 2023 - 2024. As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year following the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, children have remained among the most vulnerable and profoundly affected populations. The report underscores grave violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, emphasising the urgent need for accountability, protection, and systemic reform to safeguard the rights and well-being of children.
Between January and December 2023, the OHCHR documented 172 child casualties—65 killed and 107 injured—caused primarily by shelling, air strikes, and mines. The actual toll is likely higher due to underreporting. Most of these incidents occurred in Ukrainian government-controlled areas, notably in the Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The report condemns the Russian Federation’s repeated use of explosive weapons in populated civilian areas, which has led to the vast majority of these casualties. The use of landmines and cluster munitions—mainly by Russian forces—has exacerbated risks for children, with unexploded ordnance remaining a persistent threat.
One of the most alarming impacts of the war on children is the decimation of the educational infrastructure. As of December 2023, 363 educational facilities had been completely destroyed, and over 3,700 were damaged. Many of these facilities were hit while they were operating or housing civilians. The use of schools for military purposes by both Russian and Ukrainian forces is a concerning violation of international law. With constant insecurity and damaged infrastructure, many children are deprived of in-person learning. OHCHR highlighted that less than one-third of children in front-line areas could access regular schooling. This deprivation risks long-term developmental, psychological, and social consequences.
Perhaps the most harrowing revelations in the report concern the unlawful transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied territories. OHCHR documented credible accounts of children being separated from their families, transferred to Russian territory, and subjected to processes such as forced "re-education," adoption, and prolonged institutionalisation. These actions likely amount to violations of international humanitarian law and may constitute war crimes. Russia has failed to provide transparent information or facilitate reunification with families, further compounding the trauma and uncertainty faced by affected children and their relatives.
The psychological and emotional toll of the war on Ukrainian children is profound. Displacement, bereavement, exposure to violence, and interrupted education have all contributed to increased rates of trauma, anxiety, and depression. Medical facilities—many also targeted in attacks—have struggled to provide adequate care for both the physical and mental health needs of children. Vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities and those in institutional care, face heightened risks of neglect and abuse.
OHCHR underscores the critical importance of accountability for violations committed against children. It welcomes efforts by the Ukrainian government to investigate and prosecute war crimes, yet notes persistent challenges in ensuring access to justice for child victims. Legal and procedural hurdles, lack of specialised support, and fear of retaliation hinder the ability of children and their families to seek redress. The report also expresses concern over the lack of cooperation by Russian authorities in addressing these crimes or facilitating access to affected populations.
The humanitarian situation remains dire, particularly in front-line and occupied areas where access is restricted. OHCHR calls for full, unimpeded, and sustained access for humanitarian actors to deliver assistance and conduct monitoring. The report highlights positive steps taken by Ukraine, such as the creation of mechanisms to trace and return deported children and the inclusion of child protection in emergency response strategies. However, it also points to systemic gaps in coordination, funding, and implementation that hinder the effectiveness of these efforts.
The OHCHR report concludes with a series of recommendations directed at both parties to the conflict. It urges the Russian Federation to cease its attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, end the unlawful deportation of children, and cooperate with international mechanisms for accountability. It calls on Ukraine to continue strengthening child protection systems and ensure that education, psychosocial support, and justice are accessible to all affected children. The international community is urged to maintain robust support for humanitarian responses, reconstruction, and legal redress efforts.
Oral Update of High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk
Amid mounting diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire and open Black Sea shipping lanes vital to global food security, the High Commissioner emphasised that such developments, while welcomed, occur in parallel with an alarming intensification of violence on the ground.
Civilian casualties have spiked sharply in the first three months of 2025, with verified deaths and injuries 30% higher than in the same period the previous year. Since January, at least 413 civilians have been killed and over 2,000 injured, including 30 fatalities and 200 injuries in a single week in March. The High Commissioner highlighted a particularly deadly attack on 7 March in the town of Dolyna, where Russian forces used ballistic missiles, drones, and munitions to devastating effect. Cumulatively, since the full-scale invasion in 2022, over 12,700 civilian deaths and more than 30,000 injuries have been verified, though the actual toll is likely far higher.
The continued use of explosive weapons in populated areas by Russian forces, including missiles, drones, and aerial bombs, remains the principal cause of civilian harm. Particularly concerning is the increased use of short-range combat drones, now the leading cause of civilian deaths and injuries since December 2024. Meanwhile, Ukrainian strikes have also caused civilian deaths in Russian-occupied territories, raising concerns about conduct by both parties.
The High Commissioner underscored the catastrophic toll the war has taken on children. Since the beginning of the invasion, at least 669 Ukrainian children have been killed and 1,833 injured. Beyond these tragic figures, millions of children have been displaced, separated from families, and deprived of education, healthcare, and basic rights. The recent OHCHR report on children in Ukraine documents grave violations, including summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, and forced transfers to Russian-controlled territories. In occupied areas, children are subjected to forced Russification and military-style indoctrination.
The statement further condemned the systematic repression in Russian-occupied Ukraine and within Russia itself, where residents face coercion to obtain Russian passports and suppression of dissent. Ukrainians are being prosecuted for expressing national identity, and anti-war voices within Russia have faced severe punishment under repressive laws. The High Commissioner also highlighted a deeply troubling rise in the execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers, with 84 documented cases since August 2024, and numerous allegations of torture and sexual violence against prisoners of war. The prosecution of Ukrainian prisoners for alleged terrorism simply for taking part in hostilities violates international law.
Position of the Concerned Country
The representative of Ukraine expressed deep gratitude to the High Commissioner for his update and for the Human Rights Monitoring Mission’s documentation of ongoing human rights violations resulting from Russia’s brutal aggression. Since Russia’s full invasion, at least 669 Ukrainian children have been killed, and 1,833 injured. While these statistics represent a tragic reality, they only begin to reflect the true devastation — young lives lost, dreams extinguished, and futures shattered. The representative condemned Russia’s indiscriminate attacks, including airstrikes, missile strikes, and the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. Ukraine, being one of the most heavily mined countries, will face the danger of landmines for years to come, posing ongoing threats to children.
Beyond the physical harm, the psychological toll on Ukrainian children has been catastrophic, with many suffering from PTSD, depression, and emotional distress due to displacement, violence, and family separation. The representative also highlighted horrific documented cases of sexual violence committed by Russian forces against Ukrainian children, leaving lasting physical and psychological scars. The war has deprived millions of Ukrainian children of their right to education, with over 1,600 educational facilities destroyed or damaged. More than 420,000 children now rely on online learning, often disrupted by attacks on critical infrastructure.
A particularly egregious crime highlighted by the representative is the forced deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus. These children are illegally adopted by Russian families, stripped of their Ukrainian identity, forced to abandon their language and heritage, and even given Russian names. This, the representative argued, constitutes a violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and is a deliberate attempt to erase an entire generation of Ukrainians. In occupied territories, children are subjected to systematic Russification, with the Ukrainian language banned from schools, replaced by Russian propaganda. Many children are forced into military training aimed at promoting Russian patriotism, and parents who seek to provide Ukrainian-language education are persecuted.
The representative also provided recent examples of Russian strikes, including one on March 24, which injured 100 people, including 23 children, and damaged 73 buildings, and another on March 25, which killed a three-year-old girl and her mother. The representative emphasised that this is the harsh reality for Ukrainian families on a daily basis.
Despite these challenges, Ukraine remains resilient, committed to ensuring that every child has access to education and psychological support to recover from the trauma of war. Efforts are underway to rebuild schools and launch rehabilitation programs to help children heal. Ukraine is not only reconstructing buildings but rebuilding lives. The country is also making efforts to locate and rehabilitate children taken by Russia. Every child, the representative stated, matters and must be brought home.
The international community is called upon to support Ukraine in the return of abducted children, to push for Russia’s immediate release of Ukrainian children, and to ensure that international organisations are allowed to investigate war crimes related to these abductions. The representative concluded by acknowledging that while the children lost to the war cannot be returned, there must be a relentless fight for those who remain. Every child deserves to grow up in safety, free from fear, and without the shadow of war. Ukraine will continue its fight for its children, ensuring that their suffering does not become a forgotten tragedy and that justice is served. The aggressor, Russia, must be held accountable for its actions.
Country Statements
The representative of Poland, speaking on behalf of Nordic-Baltic states, expressed deep alarm over the devastating impact of Russia’s aggression on children across Ukraine, particularly in temporarily occupied areas. He cited the report’s conclusion that the conflict had significantly harmed millions of Ukrainian children. The severity of the situation was underscored by the UN Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict, which identified the Russian Army and its affiliated groups as responsible for committing grave violations against children in Ukraine. He called for the immediate cessation of all attacks, particularly those involving explosive weapons in populated areas, and demanded that Russia end its assaults on critical infrastructure.
Additionally, the Polish representative condemned Russia’s unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children, urging the Russian Federation to provide full transparency on the whereabouts of those forcibly taken. He called for an end to any alterations to the personal status of these children and insisted on their reunification with their families. The forced assimilation of Ukrainian children, including allegations of their re-education under Russian military indoctrination, was deemed unacceptable. Furthermore, he demanded an end to discrimination against children who had not acquired Russian citizenship and called for equal access to education and healthcare services.
The representative of Switzerland reaffirmed the country’s deep concern over the devastating impact of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine since February 2022. He emphasised that credible and trustworthy documentation had consistently reported frequent violations of international law. However, he noted that the crisis did not begin in 2022 but had its roots in Russia’s annexation of Crimea 11 years ago and the subsequent loss of control over certain parts of Donbas. Various reports have since documented serious abuses and violations, particularly in Russian-occupied territories, including arbitrary arrests, detentions, mistreatment, deportations, and disappearances—actions that may constitute crimes against humanity.
Focusing on the violation of children’s rights, the Swiss representative urged Russia to end its discriminatory policies, including the forced conferral of Russian citizenship on Ukrainian children and the militarisation of the educational curriculum. He called for the immediate return of children who had been forcibly transferred or deported, in accordance with international law. Switzerland remained deeply concerned by the systematic and widespread nature of these practices and condemned them in the strongest possible terms.
The United Kingdom's representative delivered a statement emphasising the severe impact of the war on children in Ukraine, as outlined by the High Commissioner. She highlighted the devastating toll, with over 600 children killed and thousands forcibly separated and deported to Russia, where they endured significant trauma. Many had been subjected to horrific abuses, including sexual assault and execution, while others in occupied territories faced systematic indoctrination and militarisation.
The forced naturalisation of children, along with punishments for speaking Ukrainian or following its educational curriculum, demonstrate Russia’s deliberate effort to erase Ukrainian identity. The report also drew attention to the worsening mental health of Ukrainian children, stressing the need for increased international support, particularly from nations with experience in addressing the psychological trauma of children affected by past conflicts. The delegate called for full accountability for Russia's actions and advocated for the protection of children's rights and their future, ensuring they were free from the devastating effects of war.
The Russian Federation representative criticised the human rights situation in Ukraine, claiming it was highly unsatisfactory due to systematic violations of basic rights and freedoms. He accused Ukrainian authorities of fostering extreme Russophobia, stating that the Russian language had been effectively banned, leaving millions of Russian speakers facing discrimination. He further alleged that Ukrainian citizens with connections to or support for Russia were being unfairly targeted and prosecuted under criminal charges of collaboration and treason.
The representative also condemned Ukraine’s suppression of political opposition, citing the ban on 19 opposition parties in June of the previous year. He claimed that opposition leaders faced criminal persecution and had their property and financial assets confiscated by the state. Furthermore, he argued that independent media no longer existed in Ukraine due to extensive censorship, including at the legislative level.
He urged the High Commissioner and the UN office to abandon what he called double standards and to stop covering for the Ukrainian government. Instead, he called for a firm condemnation of what he described as large-scale violations of Ukraine’s international human rights obligations.
The representative of China delivered a statement highlighting the complexity of the situation in Ukraine over the past three years. She acknowledged that there is a multifaceted crisis requiring a fair, lasting, and balanced peace agreement accepted by all parties involved. The delegate stressed the importance of collective efforts to pursue such a consensus, underscoring that objectivity, fairness, and inclusive dialogue are essential to resolving the crisis and addressing human rights concerns.
The representative advocated for a cooperative international approach aimed at providing technical assistance and building capacity for the parties involved in the conflict. He called for the creation of conditions conducive to resolution through the expression of balanced views and the promotion of constructive dialogue among all countries concerned.
China reaffirmed its longstanding position of supporting dialogue and negotiation from the very beginning of the crisis. The representative reiterated China’s commitment to a political solution, emphasising peace through talks in line with the will of the parties involved. She concluded by stating that China is willing to continue playing a constructive role alongside the international community in resolving the conflict and achieving a lasting and peaceful settlement.
Statement by UNICEF
The representative of UNICEF delivered a powerful statement emphasising the devastating and far-reaching impact of the war in Ukraine on children. Referring to the High Commissioner’s report, she underscored that since the escalation of the conflict in 2022, children in Ukraine have suffered immeasurably. Their lives have been marked by daily threats from explosive weapons in populated areas, mass displacement, and widespread disruption of education—affecting every aspect of childhood. In occupied territories, access for humanitarian actors remains heavily constrained despite the urgent and acute needs of civilians, particularly women and children.
She stressed that no place in Ukraine is truly safe. As a recent example, she cited the most recent widespread attacks across the country, resulting in numerous casualties. In the city of Dnipro, 23 children were reportedly injured when residential areas—including homes, schools, and other civilian structures—were struck. In another tragic incident, a five-year-old girl and her father were reportedly killed in an overnight attack in Ternopil.
The representative made a clear and urgent plea for the violence to end, calling for a real and sustained peace. She unequivocally condemned grave violations against children, including the killing and maiming of minors and attacks on schools and hospitals. Finally, she stressed the critical need for unrestricted humanitarian access to all affected areas, including occupied territories, and emphasised that any ceasefire agreement must include provisions to ensure such access for humanitarian actors.
Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
The statements from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) generally underscored the dire humanitarian situation in Ukraine, particularly for children. NGOs reflected on the widespread and systemic violations of human rights, including the grave impact of the conflict on children, who face threats from explosive weapons, displacement, and disrupted education. They called for an end to attacks on civilians, especially children, and urged for full access to humanitarian aid in all affected areas, including occupied territories. NGOs condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, the targeting of schools and hospitals, and the unlawful deportation of children.
They also called for urgent international action to hold violators accountable, highlighting the need for a lasting peace agreement that would ensure the protection of human rights and prevent further violations. In particular, NGOs focused on the importance of impartial, independent, and unrestricted access for humanitarian organisations to provide assistance, especially in areas under occupation. Overall, they stressed the necessity of ending the violence, ensuring accountability for abuses, and providing long-term support to address the psychological and physical trauma caused by the ongoing conflict.
Closing Remarks
High Commissioner Volker Türk concluded the dialogue with a powerful appeal for peace in Ukraine grounded in the principles of human rights and international law. He stressed the urgent need to end the war, particularly the continued use of explosive weapons in populated areas and the mounting civilian toll. He called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, especially the absolute prohibitions on torture, executions, and the mistreatment of prisoners of war.
Türk emphasised that accountability must be at the core of any peace process. He underscored the responsibility to protect civilians in Russian-occupied territories, highlighting the rights to freedom of movement, cultural identity, and access to essential services without coercion or forced allegiance. He expressed particular concern for the widespread pressure to obtain Russian citizenship and the suppression of Ukrainian language and culture in these regions.
He insisted that peace must be anchored in human rights. This, he explained, means the return of all prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians, including those imprisoned in Russia for opposing the war, and the reunification of children who have been unlawfully transferred to the Russian Federation. It also means ensuring freedom of expression, cultural participation, and access to education and information across all of Ukraine.
Türk called for full humanitarian access and the presence of independent human rights monitors, and he warned that demining efforts and long-term psychosocial support will be essential components of recovery. He concluded by reaffirming the role of his office, which has been present in Ukraine since 2014, and offered its continued support to both parties and the international community. For peace to be sustainable, he said, it must be built on truth, justice, and the trust of the people; especially the Ukrainian people, whose rights must remain at the heart of any resolution.
Position of Geneva International Centre for Justice
Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) strongly supports the High Commissioner’s call for a human rights–based approach to peace in Ukraine. GICJ unequivocally condemns the widespread and systematic violations committed by the Russian Federation, particularly those targeting children. This includes the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of children, the imposition of Russian citizenship, and the indoctrination of youth through militarised education in occupied territories.
GICJ is deeply concerned by the ongoing repression of Ukrainian identity and culture in these regions. The banning of the Ukrainian language in schools, suppression of national symbols, and punishment for pro-Ukrainian sentiment reflect an attempt to erase the national identity of the occupied population. These policies not only violate international law, but also sow deep and lasting divisions among future generations. GICJ emphasises that accountability is non-negotiable. Perpetrators of war crimes and grave human rights abuses must be brought to justice, and victims must receive recognition, reparations, and long-term support.
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