Australia strongly supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We are deeply concerned by continued reports of human rights violations in the illegally annexed Crimea.

Australia strongly opposes the ongoing repression of ethnic and religious minorities and the unjustified imprisonment of individuals who speak out against the occupation in Crimea. We stand with the international community in condemning Russia’s violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Crimea, including the repression of free media and forced conscription of Ukrainian citizens into the Russian military.

Australia does not recognise Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and we once again call on Russia to cease its occupation of Crimea.

We also condemn reports of horrific human rights violations by Russian forces in Ukraine since its invasion.

We must hold Russia to account. That is why Australia strongly supports the work of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which will investigate alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law.

We ask the High Commissioner, what can be done to better protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of those in Crimea?