Kyiv, 5 December 2022 (TDI): The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine concluded its visit to Kyiv on 2nd December.
UN Human Rights Council Independent Inquiry Commission
The UN Human Rights Council formed the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. The Commission inspects human rights abuses, breaches of international humanitarian law, and related crimes that occur as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Furthermore, the UN Human Rights Council will hear the Commission’s findings and recommendations in March 2023. Three Commissioners lead the mission.
The Commissioners are Erik Mose of Norway (Chair), Jasminka Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Pablo de Greiff of Colombia. At the end of the visit, the Commissioners held a press conference and passed a statement.
Statement
Erik Mose, the Chair of the Commission welcomed all to the conference. He mentioned that they submitted the written report of the mandate to UN General Assembly on 18th October 2022.
The report included the conclusions about what happened in February and March 2022 in the areas of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy. He mentioned that the commission discovered that war crimes have occurred in these areas.
He added that Commission has invested more of its funds in the geographic, and thematic framework outlined in our mandate.
Moreover, he mentioned that they are concluding the report that the Commission will present to the Human Rights Council in March 2023.
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Mose added that they held discussions with diplomatic representatives this week. The Commissioners met the Deputy Prosecutor of the Kherson region in Odesa.
The member of the commission, Jasminka Džumhur added that the Commission expresses concern about the horrific situation that has an impact on children’s lives and rights.
She added that People cannot receive health protection as medical facilities are destroyed by attacks. Moreover, patients who require immediate medical care and those with chronic diseases are most impacted by this circumstance.
Another member, Pablo de Greiff mentioned discussions with stakeholders this week have reinforced the importance of accountability.
He said that they shall keep looking into violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and associated crimes.
He mentioned that national and international efforts are being made in Ukraine to identify criminals. Moreover, the Commission is still taking steps to support these numerous efforts.
Lastly, he said that the Commission will include suggestions for many potential instruments of accountability in a thorough report due in March 2023.
