UNGA79 3rd Committee Interactive Dialogue with the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, M. Erik Møse
Statement delivered by Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries
29th October 2024, New York
Chair,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Estonia, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland.
We thank Mr. Møse for the Commission’s important reporting. Our support to the Commission’s indispensable mandate remains steadfast.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. We continue to demand that Russia ceases its war of aggression and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraws all its forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine.
The lives, well-being and health of Ukrainians are deeply affected by Russia’s atrocious attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, including energy facilities and medical institutions. No one is safe. We are appalled by the high number of civilian casualties.
The evidence gathered by the Commission demonstrates that torture committed against Ukrainians by Russian authorities is widespread and systematic. Furthermore, Russian authorities use sexual violence as torture. Men are victims in Russian detention. Rapes target women in villages under Russian control. And all this is perpetrated with a sense of impunity. The trauma of the victims and their families is unimaginable.
The Nordic and Baltic countries underline that Russia must immediately end these violations, which in addition to war crimes may also amount to crimes against humanity. In this context, we demand Russian authorities to ensure the immediate and safe return of all deported Ukrainian children in accordance with international law. These deported children are subject to re-education, indoctrination and militarization with an aim of changing their national identity.
The international community must ensure Russia, including its highest political and military leadership, is held fully accountable for committing, ordering or tolerating these violations. To uphold the principles of international law and denounce aggression, we must also act decisively to establish a Special Tribunal.
Victims and survivors deserve support and access to justice. Impunity is not an option.
Mr Møse, I have one question: how can the UN General Assembly more effectively support the realization of accountability for torture and other violations committed by the Russian authorities in the aggression against Ukraine?
Thank you.