The World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO) delivered an oral statement at the 59th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). Kateryna Bondar, the organization's chief representative to the UN in Geneva, spoke on its behalf.
The session considered the "Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine from December 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025," prepared by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The session also considered the UN Secretary-General's report of May 28, 2025, "On the Human Rights Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol."
During the reporting period, it is estimated that nearly 1,000 civilians were killed and 5,000 more were wounded as a result of Russian shelling of Ukrainian territory. This is a sharp increase compared to the same period last year.
In June, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 46,085 confirmed civilian casualties resulting from the Russian invasion as of May 31 (including 13,341 deaths and 32,744 injuries). However, it was noted that the actual figures could be significantly higher.
The Secretary-General's report focused on human rights violations in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories, including executions and deaths in custody, arbitrary detention, torture (including sexual violence), inhumane treatment, enforced disappearances, the forced deportation of protected persons to the Russian Federation, and the forced mobilization of individuals into the Russian armed forces, as well as violations of the rights to education and property.
Below, Vilni Media presents the text of the WFJ's oral statement delivered on July 3, translated into Ukrainian:
We thank the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General for the reports. We are gravely concerned about the continued and massive aerial attacks on Ukraine by the Russian Federation.
The intensified use of long-range missiles and systematic drone strikes have led to a dramatic 50% increase in civilian casualties this year.
We condemn in the strongest of terms these actions, including the deliberate targeting of residential areas and civilian infrastructure, transportation networks, and emergency and rescue services.
Widespread and systematic use of enforced disappearances and torture in occupied territories must stop.
The international community and this Council must intensify efforts to secure the release of all Ukrainian civilians unlawfully detained.
Currently, 37,000 Ukrainians are registered missing, and 16,000 Ukrainian civilians are known to be detained by Russia, though the actual number is likely much higher.
Many have been held for years without trial, subjected to torture, inhumane conditions, and unlawful transfer to the Russian Federation.
The tragic case of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna, who died in Russian captivity showing clear signs of torture, underscores the urgency of international action.
The detention of civilians is a grave violation of international law.
We stress that civilians must not be included in prisoner exchanges. They must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Continued efforts are necessary to ensure access to occupied territories for the monitoring of human rights.
We fully support the position of the Government of Ukraine in its efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and a just and lasting peace, as well as the recent establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
All those responsible for the crime of aggression and war crimes must be brought to justice.
Photo: ccl.org.ua
Author: Inna Mikhno