HRC63 - JST - The human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine

Human Rights Council - 63rd session
Item 8: Follow-up to and implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
Joint Statement on the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine
30 September 2026

Mr. President,

This statement is delivered on behalf of a group of states.

We recall the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, which reaffirms the need for effective international measures to protect the human rights of people under occupation. These principles were reiterated at the Sixth Summit of the International Crimea Platform on 23 September.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders and our policy of non-recognition of Russia’s attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories.

Occupation cannot create sovereignty, and no territorial acquisition resulting from the threat or use of force shall be recognized as legal.

We strongly condemn Russia’s recent so-called State Duma “elections” conducted in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. They are null and void and cannot alter the status of these territories under international law.

We remain deeply concerned by the persistent human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law documented by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

We condemn the continuing pattern of these violations, including unlawful detention, torture, enforced disappearances, politically motivated persecution and systematic attempts to erase Ukrainian identity through forced Russification, citizenship, education and indoctrination.

We condemn the deportation and forcible transfer, illegal adoption, indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children and call for their immediate, safe and unconditional return.

We reaffirm the urgent need to protect Ukrainians, the Crimean Tatar people and other Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine and their cultural, linguistic and religious heritage.

The international community must not allow occupation, repression and forced assimilation to become normalized.

We demand that Russia cease its aggression and withdraw all its troops and occupation administrations from Ukraine. Restoring Ukraine’s territorial integrity is essential for protecting human rights and upholding the UN Charter.

I thank you.