Thank you Mr. President,

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

We thank the Commission of Inquiry for its oral update.

We are approaching the thousandth day since Russia launched its full scale war of aggression against Ukraine.

For almost a 1000 days the brave Ukrainian people have endured immense suffering.

Suffering, diligently and independently documented and verified by you, the Commission of Inquiry.

Every update and report you present to this Council reminds us of Russia’s policy of terror.

Ukrainians live in constant fear.

Fear of the winter to come after Russia’s unrelenting campaign of destruction against civilian energy infrastructure. .

Fear from the Russian forces who subject Ukrainian men, women, boys and girls to a long list of atrocities, including torture, rape, extrajudicial killings, and severe limitations on the exercise of fundamental rights.

Fear for their relatives who may be forcibly transferred and detained without cause, subjected to torture and inhumane treatment, denied access to communicate with their families, and denied access to a lawyer of their own choosing.

Ukrainians deserve justice, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, as lead nation on point 7 of President Zelensky’s Peace Plan, will continue to support Ukraine’s path towards accountability.

In conclusion, we would again like to express deep appreciation to the work of the Commission of Inquiry, which remains indispensable.

Mr Chair,

How can the international community assist Ukraine in strengthening capacity to ensure gender-sensitive and survivor-centred legal processes of accountability, with the ultimate aim to provide justice to the Ukrainian people, especially those who suffered from sexual and gender based violence?