The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
Release of comprehensive report by the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine to the Human Rights Council
Speakers:
- Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
- Jasminka Džumhur, Commissioner
- Pablo de Greiff, Commissioner
STORYLINE
Russian troops committed a “wide range” of violations across Ukraine, many of which amount to war crimes, UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine reports
Russian forces in Ukraine faced fresh accusations of war crimes on Thursday as UN-appointed independent human rights investigators released the latest findings of their ongoing probe.
“Russian authorities have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law, in addition to a wide range of war crimes, including the war crime of excessive incidental death, injury or damage, wilful killings, torture, unlawful confinement, rape, as well as deportation,” said Mr. Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry in Geneva.
In addition, Russian repeated attacks against Ukraine’s energy grid since 10 October 2022 left hundreds of thousands without power in freezing temperatures. With “the use of torture by Russian authorities, these attacks may amount to crimes against humanity”, added Mr. Møse, before calling for further investigation into the allegations.
The Commission’s latest report is based on almost 600 interviews, as well as satellite pictures and inspections of detention places and graves.
The Commissioners also found a “limited number” of apparent violations by Ukrainian forces. “These include indiscriminate attacks using cluster ammunitions, as well as two incidents of shooting, wounding, and torture of Russian prisoners of war, which are war crimes. Accountability for these cases is also a necessity,” insisted Jasminka Džumhur, one of the Commissioners of Inquiry.
The bulk of the investigators’ report concerned allegations against Russia. They concluded that its armed forces had committed "indiscriminate and disproportionate" attacks on Ukraine, used torture, killed civilians outside combat and failed to take measures to spare the Ukrainian population. For Mr. Møse, “such attacks have impacted objects which are purely civilian in nature, such as residential buildings, hospitals, shops and places with large concentrations of civilians”.
Deportation and systematic torture
A key finding of the report relates to “widespread” unlawful confinement in areas controlled by Russian armed forces, going hand in hand with “consistent” methods of torture.
Commissioner Pablo de Greiff said that Russian authorities had committed “unlawful transfers and deportations of civilians or of other protected persons, both men and women within Ukraine, or to the Russian Federation respectively. This is a war crime.”
The Commission also presented information and testimony suggesting a widespread pattern of summary executions and concluded that Russian authorities had committed unlawful killings of civilians or persons, in areas which came under their control.
Sexual violence
The report highlights “numerous” instances of rape and sexual violence committed by Russian authorities, notably during house searches and in detention. According to the Commission, victims were men, women and children, from four to 82 years old.
“The Commission has concluded that in the area they controlled, some members of Russian forces committed the war crimes of rape, which also amounts to torture, sexual violence, and the corresponding human rights violations. Acts of forced nudity can be a form of sexual violence and may constitute the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity,” said Ms. Džumhur.
A commission of inquiry is the most powerful tool available to the UN Human Rights Council to scrutinize abuses and rights violations around the world.
The Commission’s three members are independent human rights experts. The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was created during an urgent debate shortly after Russia’s invasion on 24 February last year.
The report calls for all perpetrators of violations and crimes to be held accountable through judicial proceedings in accordance with international human rights standards, “either at the national or the international level”.
Ends
TRT: 03’46”
SOURCE: UNTV CH
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
RELEASE DATE: 16 March 2023
HYBRID PRESS BRIEFING
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
SHOTLIST
-
- Exterior wide shot: UN flag alley UN Geneva.
- Cutaway: medium lateral shot, speakers behind podium and journalists at press conference room, UN Geneva.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The commission has concluded that Russian authorities have committed numerous violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, in addition to a wide range of war crimes, including the war crime of excessive incidental death, injury or damage, willful killings, torture, inhuman treatment, unlawful confinement, rape, as well as unlawful transfer and deportation.”
- Cutaway: medium lateral shot, journalists and photographers in the press conference, UN Geneva.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has also found that the waves of attacks from the 10 October 2022 on Ukraine's energy-related infrastructure by the Russian armed forces and the use of torture by Russian authorities may amount to crimes against humanity. The Commission recommends further investigations.”
- Cutaway: medium lateral shot, speakers behind podium at press conference room, UN Geneva.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Ms. Jasminka Džumhur, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has, in limited number of cases, found that Ukrainian armed forces (are) very likely responsible for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. These include indiscriminate attacks using cluster ammunitions, as well as two incidents of shooting, wounding and torture of Russian prisoners of war, which are war crimes. Accountability for these cases is also a necessity.”
- Cutaway: Medium shot, journalists with speaker at the podium.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Erik Møse, Chair of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has concluded that Russian armed forces have committed indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, which are violations of international humanitarian law. Such attacks have impacted objects which are purely civilian in nature, such as residential buildings, hospitals, shops, and places with large concentrations of civilians.”
- Cutaway: medium shot of journalists in the press room.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Pablo de Greiff, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has collected evidence showing a widespread pattern of summary executions and has concluded that Russian authorities have committed unlawful killings of civilians or persons in areas which came under their control.”
- Cutaway: medium shot of journalists in the press room.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Pablo de Greiff, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has further concluded that Russian authorities have committed unlawful transfers and deportations of civilians or of other protected persons, both men and women within Ukraine, or to the Russian Federation respectively. This is a war crime.”
- Cutaway: medium shot with speakers on podium.
- SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Ms. Jasminka Džumhur, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: “The Commission has concluded that in the area they controlled, some members of Russian forces committed the war crimes of rape, which also amounts to torture, sexual violence and the corresponding human rights violations. Acts of forced nudity can be a form of sexual violence and may constitute the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity.”
- Various cutaways of journalists and speakers in the press conference room.
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | WHO
Repeated attacks on humanitarian warehouses put vital medical aid at risk in Ukraine - WHO
A new airstrike overnight damaged one of the main warehouses used by the UN health agency to store humanitarian medical supplies in the Kyiv region, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday. This is the third attack to affect a WHO-used storage in the last three months.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | UNITAR , WMO
UNITAR: GA resolution on the merger of the United Nations System Staff College into the United Nations Institute for Training and Research; WMO: Air Quality and Climate Bulletin released; WHO: Ukraine update
2
2
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | WMO
Powerful El Niño heightens extreme-weather risks through 2027, as countries brace for impact - WMO
Fuelled by extraordinarily warm waters across the tropical Pacific Ocean, the El Niño climate pattern is expected to intensify in the coming months. Forecasters are almost certain that it will persist through February next year, with unusually warm conditions expected across the globe.
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , IFRC , UN WOMEN , WHO
Nepal flood deaths near 1,000 as those spared struggle to survive – UN humanitarians
With the death toll in Nepal’s catastrophic flash floods inching towards 1,000, rescue workers are facing harsh conditions while survivors lack access to food, safe water and health care, humanitarians said on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , UN WOMEN , WFP , WHO , WMO , OCHA
UN WOMEN/IFRC: Update on the impact of the floods in Nepal, WFP: Food assistance in the West Bank, WHO: Gaza’s rehabilitation needs and continued spread of diseases
1
1
1
Edited News | OCHA , UNDRR , IFRC , WHO
Nepal: Flooding disaster “not over” as humanitarians work around the clock
While search and rescue efforts continued Friday following flash floods and mudslides in northern Nepal, UN humanitarians are taking stock of the devastation amid concerns over more flooding to come.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | IFRC , ITU , OCHA , OHCHR , UNCTAD , UNDRR , UNHCR , UNICEF , WHO , WMO
UNDRR/OCHA/IFRC/UNICEF/WHO: Nepal updates; IFRC/WMO: El Niño Update; WHO: Health situation in Ukraine; UNHCR: 65 years after landmark Convention; OHCHR: Human Rights situation in Haiti;
ITU: Upcoming Greening Digital Companies 2026 report; UNCTAD: World Investment Forum 2026 in Doha 25-27 October
1
1
1
Edited News | UNIFIL
Damaged roads, disrupted services and renewed military activity are putting civilians at risk in south Lebanon, UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) warns.
The UN peacekeeping mission is urging restraint and renewed political engagement to prevent further escalation.
2
1
2
Press Conferences | UNIDIR
Launch of the 2026 Arms Trade Treaty Monitor report
1
1
1
Edited News | ICRC , UNODA
Amid unconfirmed reports that fully autonomous and AI-guided drones are now being used on the battlefield, UN chief António Guterres and the President of the Red Cross on Tuesday renewed their urgent call for stricter controls, before it is too late.
1
1
1
Press Conferences | ICRC , OHCHR , UN , UNICEF
UN/ICRC: Renewed Call from UN Secretary-General and ICRC President to Adopt Rules on Autonomous Weapon Systems; OHCHR: Human rights situation in Myanmar new report; UNICEF: Worsening child nutrition crisis in Afghanistan
1
1
1
Press Conferences | OHCHR , Treaty Bodies
UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) publishes findings on Finland, Honduras, India and Kuwait