People clear rubble at the site of a missile strike on Kyiv on July 8, 2024. OHCHR chief: ‘Ukraine needs unity now more than ever’ Human Rights
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights says Ukrainian society must unite and maintain faith in democratic institutions in the face of Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion.
Speaking at a conference in Kyiv on human rights and dignity in conflict, Volker Türk once again expressed “full solidarity” with the Ukrainian people and his concern over the latest wave of attacks on energy facilities amid plummeting temperatures. Children, the elderly and the disabled will suffer the most, he added.
“The rights of Ukrainians are constantly being trampled on – through ongoing drone attacks, occupation of territory, suppression of culture and the mistreatment of prisoners of war,” Volker Türk stressed. – All this must end.”
According to the High Commissioner, Ukraine needs unity now more than ever, and the moment has come to reaffirm commitment to human rights and human dignity, as well as to maintain trust in each other and in democratic institutions.
Volker Türk added that the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, which he heads, is making a contribution to ensuring accountability and justice. OHCHR continues to prepare a public report on human rights violations during the war in Ukraine. Individual chapters of this report have already formed the basis for cases before the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice.
“I thank the Ukrainians for their commitment to human rights and human dignity and assure you of our full commitment and support,” concluded Volker Türk.