76 years ago, on 10 December 1948, the international community for the first time recognized the inalienable rights of every human being with the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights - a response to the horrors of the World War II. As the preamble to the Declaration states: “disregard and contempt for human rights have led to barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind”.

Today, these words are more relevant than ever for Ukraine. For over a decade, Ukrainians have suffered gross human rights violations by the Russian Federation during its aggression against Ukraine. Since February 2024, the scale of atrocities committed by Russia against the Ukrainians has been unprecedented. Russia's full-scale aggression has caused the largest crisis in Europe since the World War II and is a direct challenge to international law and the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter.

This year’s Human Rights Day theme, "Our Rights. Our Future. Right Now," reflects a universal truth: the protection of human rights is not only a response to today’s challenges but also a foundation to ensure dignity, peace, and security for future generations.

Russia's war against Ukraine has brought immense suffering and pain to millions of people. This includes the forced displacement of entire families from the temporarily occupied territories and conflict zones, the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of children, torture, inhuman treatment, extrajudicial executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances of civilians. Systematic deprivation of rights and fundamental freedoms - such as the right to life and security - continues in the temporarily occupied territories.

Ukraine has always been and remains committed to the principles of international law. To ensure accountability of the aggressor, we are using all available mechanisms and have proposed the Peace Formula based on the immutable principles of international law.

Our common task is to restore the rule of law. The aggressor must be forced to comply with international norms, not to undermine them.

We continue to work with international partners to ensure justice for the victims of Russian aggression, including the safe return of deported children and the establishment of an effective system of reparations for victims.

The international community is witnessing daily that the aggressor state has no intention to end its genocidal war against Ukraine or fulfil its international obligations. Appeasement will not stop the aggressor, and its massive human rights abuses A genuine, comprehensive, just and lasting peace can only be achieved through strength: the strength of our unity, our commitment to common principles, and our actions to strengthen Ukraine and reduce Russia's aggressive potential.

We call on the international community to increase pressure on the Kremlin, enforce sanctions and diplomatic isolation, and strengthen accountability mechanisms through international tribunals and courts to prosecute all those responsible for the crime of aggression, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. We urge continued military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, which is critical to overcoming Russian aggression, as well as support in returning deported children and securing the release of civilian hostages and prisoners of war.

Ukraine has made its choice: we are fighting for rights and fundamental freedoms, for values and for justice. We call on our international partners to join us in our efforts to stop the aggressor and to build a world where the rule of law and human rights prevail.