Mr. President,

I am pleased to deliver this statement on behalf of the 46 member states in Geneva of the Group of Friends of Accountability Following the Aggression against Ukraine.

We thank the High Commissioner for her update and welcome this important opportunity to discuss Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.

It is a discussion that concerns us all, as Russia's military aggression against Ukraine violates the UN Charter and international law, which underpin peaceful coexistence and global security. Safeguarding this rests on our collective ability to ensure accountability for perpetrators and justice for victims, in Mariupol and elsewhere. We urge Russia to abide by its obligations under international law, confirmed by the legally binding ICJ order of 16th March 2022.

We remain horrified by continued reports of indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, forced deportations of children followed by threat of illegal adoption, rape and other sexual and gender-based violence in Ukraine. We call on all parties to strictly respect international humanitarian law and international human rights law and seek individual accountability.

We are furthermore deeply concerned about the grave effects of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine on global food security and energy systems. Developing countries and persons in vulnerable situations are particularly affected.

The Group of Friends welcomes the many initiatives to collect evidence and investigate crimes committed during the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, including those by the Commission of Inquiry and the ICC, as well as

the valuable support of the Office of the High Commissioner to these endeavours. We encourage all involved actors to strengthen coordination to ensure effectiveness and to avoid re-traumatization of victims. Civil society actors continue to have an important role in documenting violations and abuses.

We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and its courageous people.

Madame High Commissioner, how can we best pursue accountability when access to Mariupol and other regions under temporary Russian control in the eastern and southern parts of Ukraine are restricted by Russia, and given the alleged deportation of people from Ukraine to Russia, including victims and witnesses?

Thank you.

1. Albania
2. Australia
3. Austria
4. Belgium
5. Bosnia-Herzegovina
6. Bulgaria
7. Canada
8. Colombia
9. Croatia
10. Cyprus
11. Czech Republic
12. Denmark
13. Estonia
14. Finland
15. France
16. Georgia
17. Germany
18. Greece
19. Guatemala
20. Iceland
21. Ireland
22. Italy
23. Japan
24. Latvia
25. Liechtenstein
26. Lithuania
27. Luxembourg
28. Malta
29. Marshall Islands
30. Montenegro
31. Netherlands
32. New Zealand
33. North Macedonia
34. Norway
35. Poland
36. Portugal
37. Republic of Korea
38. Romania
39. Slovakia
40. Slovenia
41. Spain
42. Sweden
43. Switzerland
44. Ukraine
45. United Kingdom
46. United States