The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 17 addressing human rights violations in the occupied territories of Ukraine. For the first time, the document referred to Russia's aggression as a "war of aggression against Ukraine."
This was stated by Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The resolution strongly condemns Russia’s crimes against Ukraine, including the illegal detention of Ukrainian civilians, the use of torture, and discrimination against residents of temporarily occupied territories. Significantly, the UN for the first time described the aggressors’ actions as a "war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine."
"The adoption of the document demonstrates that the international community unequivocally condemns the crimes of Russian occupiers, ensuring that every act of violence and human rights violation will be duly assessed and punished. Among the key provisions of the resolution are the condemnation of Russia's ongoing disregard for international human rights norms and international humanitarian law, the illegal detention of Ukrainian civilians, the use of torture, and the discrimination against residents of temporarily occupied territories," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized.
The resolution was supported by 81 countries, with 80 abstentions and 14 voting against, including Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Eritrea, Iran, China, Cuba, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Sudan, and Zimbabwe.
The resolution calls on Russia to cease its war of aggression and withdraw all its armed forces from Ukrainian territory.
Among the resolution’s key provisions are the condemnation of Russia's ongoing disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law and measures aimed at protecting and returning deported children.
Andrii Yermak, Head of the Presidential Office, has already responded to the UN's decision.
"I am grateful to the UN General Assembly and all member states for adopting the resolution on Russia’s violations of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine," he wrote on Telegram.
