Statement by Sweden. Delivered by Mr. Fredrik Nivaeus, Minister Counselor, Deputy Permanent Representative
Mr President,
Sweden fully aligns itself with the EU.
Sweden stands in solidarity with Ukraine and its people. Our steadfast support will continue.
We condemn the Russian Federation’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine in the strongest terms. It is a flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. We also condemn the involvement of Belarus in the aggression.
Russia must respect international humanitarian law. We have been horrified by recent discovery of mass graves which bears witness to the crimes committed by Russia. Reports of sexual assault and rape perpetrated by Russian armed forces are appaling. Abductions of local representatives are deeply concerning and utterly unacceptable.
The repeated attacks against civilians must stop. We are frankly running out of adjectives strong enough to describe the horrors committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.
All violations of human rights and international humanitarian law must be systematically documented and investigated. We welcome the investigations of the Commission of Inquiry established by the Human Rights Council as well as of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). These and similar investigations are also an important aspect of deterrence. The world is watching. Perpetrators must and will be held to account.