On 12 March 2026 in Geneva, a report on the crimes and human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine will be presented in the UN Human Rights Council.
The presentations and discussions will be streamed live on UN Web TV. The session is scheduled to begin at approximately 11:30 AM Geneva time on 12 March.
In the debate, the statement on behalf of the Baltic and Nordic countries will be delivered by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Margus Tsahkna.
In this report, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry concludes:
- The widespread and systematic unlawful deportations and forcible transfers of Ukrainian children by the Russian authorities amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes. The enforced disappearances of these children constitute a crime against humanity, and the unjustifiable delay in their repatriation is a war crime.
The deportations and transfers to and within Russia are carried out in accordance with a policy and plan previously established in Russia. The practical arrangements were coordinated by the Russian authorities at the highest levels – including President Putin and entities directly subordinate to him.
The Russian authorities have not established a system to facilitate the return of the children to their families and Ukraine. Most of the children have not returned. The burden to locate and return the children falls on the families. Children in institutions, and in particular younger children or those with disabilities, have almost no chance to return.
- Nationals from 16 countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nepal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Türkiye and Yemen, who had been recruited into the Russian armed forces to fight in Ukraine, were deceived and lured in by Russian authorities or civilians on their behalf through promises of employment or other lucrative opportunities.
- Russian armed forces use merciless sexual violence against women and girls as a tool of domination and torture.
- The widespread and systematic consolidation of violence in the Russian armed forces is bound to affect civilians.
- In Russia and in Russian temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, by depriving the civilians and prisoners of war of the right to fair trial, Russian authorities have committed grave violations of international humanitarian law, which constitute war crimes.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine was established by the UN Human Rights Council on 4 March 2022, to investigate all alleged violations of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of Russia's aggression against Ukraine; to collect, analyse, and document evidence; to identify those responsible for the violations and crimes committed, and provide recommendations to prevent impunity and ensure accountability.
- Report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
- Conference room paper of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine on the latest findings in investigations concerning the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine by Russian authorities, to Russia or to Russian occupied areas of Ukraine