Mr. Vice President,

We acknowledge the continued efforts of the OHCHR in promoting and protecting human rights worldwide. The leadership of the High Commissioner and the work of his Office remain vital in today’s increasingly difficult international fora.

We are particularly grateful for the Office’s steadfast engagement in Ukraine, where its independent, professional monitoring and reporting continue to provide an accurate account of the grave human rights consequences of Russia’s aggression and ensure that the realities on the ground remain firmly on the international agenda.

Today, we want to draw the Council’s attention to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the occupied areas of the Kherson region, including Oleshky, Hola Prystan, Stara Zburivka, and Nova Zburivka. Civilians remain trapped under occupation. Before the full-scale invasion, the Oleshky community had around 40,000 residents; today, fewer than 6,000 remain. In Oleshky itself, about 2,000 civilians, including 47 children, live in isolation under constant shelling. Evacuation is blocked, access to food, water, and medicine is restricted, and civilians seeking basic supplies face direct attacks.

Thus, we call on UN Member States to take coordinated action to urge Russia to comply with international law, establish safe evacuation corridors, address the worsening humanitarian situation, prevent further harm to civilians, and ensure accountability for these crimes.

I thank you!