“Persecution of journalists and representatives of civil society, politically motivated sentencing, arbitrary detentions, torture, forced conscription – that is an unacceptable reality faced by the people of Ukraine,” Braže said.
The Foreign Minister condemned Russia’s appalling war tactics which have included the weaponisation of sexual and gender-based violence and the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children – in effect kidnapping.
The Minister also drew attention to Russia’s efforts to eradicate the Crimean Tatar and Ukrainian languages, identity and cultural heritage through indoctrination and assimilation, which further exposes the imperial nature of its war of aggression.
The statement, which was made available in video format (below) was delivered on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden was presented in a video format as part of an interactive dialogue on the Report on the Human Rights Situation in Ukraine by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the interim report of the Secretary General on the situation of human rights in Crimea at the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
The 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council is taking place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18 June through to 12 July 2024.
