Human Rights Research League

Research. Education. Advocacy. Development. (R.E.A.D.)

Ukraine

 

In the fourth year of its war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation continues its flagrant violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, as comprehensively documented by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

 

Among the many atrocities committed, particularly outrageous is the treatment accorded to Ukrainian servicemen and -women hors de combat, POWs and retained medical personnel, who have been systematically and in a widespread manner subjected to torture, including sexual violence, by the Russian authorities. 

 

Other appallling actions by the Russian Federation concern the expansion of its activities of indoctrinating Ukrainian children in Russian occupied territory and enrolling them in military training for service to the Russian State. Compelling in this fashion allegiance to an Occupying Power is contrary to both IHL and IHRL.

 

The sum of the atrocities committed against, and policies enforced upon Ukrainians by the Russian Federation in its war of aggression against Ukraine have caused tremendous physical and psychological harm to the people of Ukraine. 

 

Human Rights Research League regularly intervenes on these and other issues of concern to Ukraine at the UN Human Rights Council, submits written statements to the UN, organizes side events, seminars and conference, and has supported Ukraine in Rule of Law initiatives and in the form of providing guest lectures on Upholding Human Rights to students at universities in Ukraine during the ongoing war.  

 

 

 

On 12 March 2026, on the occasion of the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League (HRRL) participated in the Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. In his intervention, HRRL Chairman Tom Syring underlined that just a few years ago, it was almost inconceivable that a country, in the heart of Europe, would have to defend itself, in a war of attrition, in the 21st century. And yet, the Russian Federation's brutal full-scale war against Ukraine entered its fifth year.

 

From the beginning of the war, the Russian Federation had committed grave atrocities and Russia's War on Civilians in Ukraine, including terror bombings, the literal hunting of civilians with FPV drones, and the destruction of vital energy and health infrastructure had constantly been expanded. Civilians had been detained in occupied territory, forcibly deported to Russia, subjected to mock trials and torture, held incommunicado, or simply disappeared. 

 

For the full statement, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.