The  54th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

11 September – 13 October 2023

Item 4: Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

25 September 2023

Joint Statement of Meezaan Center for Human Rights and Association Ma’onah for Human Rights 

Delivered by Conall Corrigan 

Thank you.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine in February 2022, we have been forced to bear witness to some of the most egregious human rights violations of the 21st century.

Among the worst of these violations include the use of torture, rape, and the forced deportation of children. Between the 24th of February 2022 and the 10th of September 2023, the OHCHR recorded over 27,000 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including over nine and a half thousand deaths. 

Many of these casualties have been caused by explosive weapons with wide-area effects that seriously impact the safety and well-being of civilians by targeting infrastructure such as hospitals and residential buildings in direct violation of International Humanitarian Law.

Meezaan Center and Association Ma’onah commend the efforts by the Commission of Inquiry to document rights violations stemming from the war. Independent monitoring mechanisms must be granted effective access to all areas of Ukraine to fully assess the damage caused by rights violations committed across the country. By doing this, justice can be provided for those who have been forced to endure rights abuses and legal avenues for redress can be ensured. 

Throughout the conflict, we have witnessed flagrant violations of international law that greatly undermine the principles of the UN Charter. We remember here the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq in 2003, and the continued brutal occupation of Palestine. Justice must prevail for all victims wherever they are. 

Thank you.