Press Conference- Ukraine COI 25 Sept 2023
/
40:58
/
MP4
/
2.4 GB

Edited News , Press Conferences | HRC

HRC - Press Conference: Ukraine Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine - 25 September 2023

'Systematic and widespread' use of torture: UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine expressed concern on Monday over the "continuous evidence" of war crimes committed by Russian armed forces in Ukraine and presented in the investigators' latest update to the UN Human Rights Council.

Briefing reporters in Geneva, Commission Chair Erik Møse highlighted the "scale and gravity of violations" and emphasized the need for accountability.

“At this stage of the Commission’s work, it is undertaking more in-depth investigations regarding unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, attacks affecting civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based evidence, and attacks on energy infrastructure,” Mr. Møse said. “This may also clarify whether torture or attacks on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity.”

Since its establishment by the Human Rights Council in March 2022, the Commission has travelled over ten times to Ukraine. Recently, the three Commissioners visited the country to interact with authorities at various levels in Kyiv. The Commission expressed regret over the fact that "all communications addressed to the Russian Federation remain unanswered".

According to Commissioner Vrinda Grover, “attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas have led to extensive destruction and damage and have been the leading cause of deaths and injuries among the civilian population”. She added that the Commission deplored that "attacks by Russian armed forces harming civilian and medical facilities, which have protected status, continue to take place”.

The Commission also deplored the fact that conflict-related sexual violence continues to take place "in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.”

The use of torture by Russian armed forces has been "widespread and systematic", said Commissioner Pablo de Greiff, and it has been taking place in different regions "on the basis of the same methods". It seems to be a "common practice", particularly in places of detention that are under Russian control for extended periods of time, he said. The main targets of torture were persons accused of being informants of the Ukrainian armed forces.

The Commission stated mentioned that in some cases, torture was inflicted with such brutality that it caused the death of the victim.

The UN-appointed independent rights investigators also expressed concern about allegations of genocide in Ukraine. “We are looking further into these issues," said Mr. Møse. "And in connection to that, we also mentioned that one aspect of this may be the question of incitement, which comes from certain Russian media".

The Commission also recalled the need for the Ukrainian authorities to "expeditiously and thoroughly" investigate the few cases of violations by its own forces. “There is a large difference between the Russian violations, the extent of those violations and the incidents we found on the Ukrainian side. We talk consistently about a large number of violations on the Russian side and a few incidents on the Ukrainian side. So, it’s important to take this into account,” said Mr. Møse.

The Commissioners underscored the paramount importance of judicial and non-judicial accountability, including measures that support the needs of the victims, such as effective mental health and psychosocial support.

The mandate of the Commission of Inquiry was extended by the Council last April for a further period of one year. Its next report to the General Assembly is due in October.

-ends-

Story: Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

DURATION (TRT): 3’27"

SOURCE: UNTV CH

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS

ASPECT RATIO: 16/9

DATELINE: 25 September 2023, GENEVA SWITZERLAND

FORMAT: HYBRID PRESS BRIEFING

  1. Exterior medium shot: UN flag alley, UN Geneva
  1. Wide shot: speakers and attendees at the press conference, screens with speakers
  2. SOUNDBITE (English) – Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission: “The Commission is deeply concerned at the scale and gravity of violations and the continuous evidence of crimes committed by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine and we emphasize the need for accountability.”
  3. Wide shot: attendees at the press conference, screens with speaker
  4. SOUNDBITE (English) – Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission: “At this stage of the Commission’s work, it is undertaking more in-depth investigations regarding unlawful attacks with explosive weapons, attacks affecting civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based evidence, and attacks on energy infrastructure. This may also clarify whether torture or attacks on energy infrastructure amount to crimes against humanity.”
  5. Wide shot: attendees, cameramen/women, sound engineers and producers at the press conference
  6. SOUNDBITE (English) – Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission: “We are concerned about the allegations of genocide and that we are looking further into these issues. And in connection to that, we also mentioned that one aspect of this may be the question of incitement, which comes from certain Russian media.”
  7. Medium shot: speakers and attendees at the press conference, screens with speaker
  8. SOUNDBITE (English) – Vrinda Grover, Commissioner: “Attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas have led to extensive destruction and damage and have been the leading cause of deaths and injuries among the civilian population.”
  9. Close shot: photographer and attendee at the press conference
  10. SOUNDBITE (English) – Vrinda Grover, Commissioner: “We deplore that attacks by Russian armed forces harming civilian and medical facilities, which have protected status, continue to take place. The Commission also deplores the fact that conflict-related sexual violence continues to take place in violation of international humanitarian law and human rights.”
  11. Medium shot: attendees at the press conference, screen with speaker
  12. SOUNDBITE (English) – Pablo de Greiff, Commissioner: “There has been widespread and systematic use of torture, that in different regions is taking place, that it is taking place on the basis of the same methods and that seems to be a common practice, particularly in places of detention that are under Russian control for extended periods of time.”
  13. Wide shot: speakers, attendees and photographer at the press conference, screen with speaker
  14. SOUNDBITE (English) – Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission: “There is a large difference between the Russian violations, the extent of those violations and the incidents we found on the Ukrainian side. We talk consistently about a large number of violations on the Russian side and a few incidents on the Ukrainian side. So, it’s important to take this into account.”
  15. Medium shot: speakers at the press conference
  16. Close shot: attendee at the press conference
  17. Medium shot: cameramen, sound engineers and producers at the press conference


Documents 1
Download Storyline
Download

Audio Files 1
Download Press Conference- Ukraine COI 25 Sept 2023 (Continuity)
Download

Similar Stories

UNECE Press conference: Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability - 08 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNECE

UNECE Press conference: Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainability - 08 October 2025 ENG FRA

UNECE Press conference on the Ministerial Meeting on Housing Affordability and Sustainablility

On 8 October 2025, UNECE member States' ministers meet to focus on the urgent challenges and strategic priorities surrounding housing affordability and sustainability in the UNECE region. Ten years after the adoption of the Geneva UN Charter on Sustainable Housing, ministers will highlight challenges and key priorities for the achievement of the Charter's objectives, and present good practice and strategic solutions in this regard.  As the key outcome of the meeting, ministers will be invited to agree on practical commitments towards sustainable and affordable housing.

The meeting will take place as part of the eighty-sixth session of the UNECE Committee on Urban Development, Housing and Land Management (8–10 October 2025).

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF , WHO

Gaza - Israel war 7 October 2025 - OCHA - UNICEF - WHO ENG FRA

Two years of Gaza-Israel war bring ‘indescribable’ pain: UN humanitarians

Two years since the Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel, UN humanitarians on Tuesday reiterated calls for the release of all hostages in Gaza, an immediate ceasefire and an aid surge to alleviate Palestinians’ suffering, as talks on a US-driven peace plan continued in Egypt.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF , UNOG , WHO , IPU

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 07 October 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and the International Parliamentary Union.

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025

1

1

1

Edited News

Justice for Syria's disappeared - Riyad Avlar – 06 October 2025 ENG FRA

Syria prison survivor seeks justice for the missing with UN backing.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end”

1

Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk at Human Rights Council on Ukraine: “This war needs to end” ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Friday warned that three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, the war in Ukraine has entered an even more dangerous and deadly stage for Ukrainian civilians, under relentless bombardment of their schools, hospitals, and shelters.

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC

1

1

1

Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , ICRC

30 minutes in a Gaza hospital - UNICEF - WHO - ICRC ENG FRA

Quadcopter victims, terror and death: 30 minutes in a Gaza hospital 

UN aid teams on Friday highlighted the disturbing situation in Gaza’s makeshift hospitals, where premature babies cry for scant oxygen and medics attempt to save child survivors targeted by airstrikes in their tents and quadcopter victims reportedly shot while fetching bread.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 03 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNHCR , UNICEF , UNIS , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 03 October 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC , OHCHR

HRC 60 Press conference: Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic - 02 October 2025 ENG FRA

Report of the Independent Expert on Human Rights situation in the Central African Republic.

 

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti

2

1

2

Edited News | OHCHR

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Oral update to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Haiti ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday delivered his oral update to the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session on the human rights situation in Haiti.

The High Commissioner welcomed Wednesday’s decision of the UN Security Council to strengthen the Multinational Security Support mission by transitioning to the Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, stating it is a strong signal of international support for the Haitian people.

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Edited News | OCHA , UNICEF

Gaza aid update - UNICEF, OCHA 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Gaza: As world waits for US peace plan news, UN aid teams stress need for ceasefire

UN agencies reiterated calls for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza on Tuesday to help alleviate Palestinian suffering, as a new US 20-point plan raised hopes of a halt to the fighting.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNECE , WHO , OCHA , UNHCR , UNICEF

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 30 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the representatives and spokespersons of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (the UN Refugee Agency), the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Children Fund, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Health Organization.

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO

1

1

1

Edited News | WHO

Gaza healthcare attacks – WHO ENG FRA

The ongoing Israeli military offensive in Gaza City continues to overwhelm the war-torn enclave’s medical professionals, with four more hospitals forced to shut down this month alone, the UN World Health Organization said on Friday.