Thank you Mr. President,

The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement.

We continue to be outraged by the systematic and large-scale human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law committed by Russia in Ukraine.

The Netherlands is particularly appalled by the mounting evidence, which  points to Russia’s policy of forcible transfers of Ukrainian children to territories under Russian control and their deportation to Russia, as well as their illegal adoption and forced naturalisation. These children must be returned to Ukraine and be reunited with their homeland, their family and their loved ones.

The latest developments in Ukraine underline the importance of combating impunity for international crimes and large-scale human rights violations and abuses. As such, the Netherlands is honored to host the International Center on the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression and  supports the establishment of a register for war damages in The Hague, the international city of peace and justice. We also support the work of the International Criminal Court. The recent arrest warrants issued in the context of the war in Ukraine constitute a significant step.

Mr. High Commissioner,

How can your Office support the implementation of the HRMMU recommendation to establish a functioning mechanism of tracing family links and family reunification for children transferred to the occupied territory of Ukraine and to the Russian Federation?

Thank you.