Commissioner for Human Rights

ENNHRI statement on ensuring that humanitarian law and human rights are respected and protected in the context of the current armed attack on Ukraine

Date:

ENNHRI calls for an immediate cessation of the armed attack on Ukraine by the Russian Federation in accordance with the principles of international law, humanitarian law and human rights law, and urges the Russian government to implement the interim measures granted by the European Court of Human Rights.

According to initial reports, the conflict has led already to major casualties among civilian population, displacement of people, severe destruction of critical infrastructure and facilities, and deterioration of the overall humanitarian and human rights situation in Ukraine.

ENNHRI supports its member NHRI, the Office of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, in its efforts to promote and protect human rights in Ukraine in an extremely challenging situation. ENNHRI expresses concern for the safety of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, her staff, and all individuals impacted by the conflict. ENNHRI commends the measures taken by the NHRI to address the humanitarian and human rights crisis developing, and monitor the human rights situation.

ENNHRI is acting to facilitate cooperation between European NHRIs and with our international partners, in consultation with GANHRI, in support of the human rights situation in Ukraine, including through our work concerning situations of conflict, democracy and rule of law, and asylum and migration. ENNHRI welcomes negotiations for a ceasefire, as well as support offered by international bodies, such as the UN, OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU. ENNHRI calls on all Council of Europe member states to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, to provide humanitarian aid, to provide refuge to individuals fleeing Ukraine, and to cooperate with European NHRIs in this respect.