Statement Nordic Baltic States.
High Comissioner,
I speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a war of destruction: Russia attempts to destroy; not only Ukrainian cities, livelihoods and cultural heritage, but also the Ukrainian population’s resilience and perseverence. And in the most brutal way, in direct violation of international law, including international humanitarian law. Russia weaponises food and thus exacerbates the global food crisis.
According to numerous reports, Russia subjects civilians to summary executions, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence and filtration. Russia deports Ukrainian children to Russia and Belarus or forcibly transfers them to Russia-controlled territory. Russia systematically destroys Ukrainian cities by deliberately attacking civilian, energy and critical infrastructure. On 5 October, Russia once again demonstrated its ruthlessness by attacking a store full of innocent civilians in Hroza. At least 51 people were killed. Intentional attacks on civilians constitutes a war crime.
The victims of these horrendous crimes, perpetrated by Russian authorities, deserve justice. We will continue to advocatefor full accountability for the crimes committed as part of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine , including for the crime of aggression. We welcome the reporting of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine and the work of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the investigation by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, and the operationalisation of the International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. We also encourage states to support the work of the Core Group for the establishment of a tribunal for the crime of aggression in Ukraine. Furthermore, we welcome the establishment of the Council of Europe’s Register of Damage and encourage other states to join the Register.
Thank you.