Photo: UN photo/Eskinder Debebe
With overwhelming evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity associated with Russia's war of aggression, States from all regions should support renewal of the mandate of the international Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.
Together with 6 other international NGOs, ISHR calls on States from all regions to support the renewal of the mandate of the independent, international Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at the current 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The Commission’s mandate is crucial to ensure that all allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by all parties in Ukraine are investigated and that evidence is collected and preserved and those responsible are identified and, ultimately, held accountable.
We call on the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Commission and ensure it can continue its vital work to investigate and document the war crimes, crimes against humanity and other human rights violations that continue to occur in Ukraine and so that victims and survivors can one day see justice. By renewing the Commission’s mandate, the Human Rights Council will send a strong message that there will be no impunity for atrocity crimes.
ISHR and its partners call for a transparent and merits-based selection of UN independent experts – one that considers diversity, lived experience, independence, and geographic balance.
On 9-10 April, ISHR coorganised a consultation meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in partnership with the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), to revitalise the process towards the adoption of a national law to promote and protect defenders.
The 83rd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 2 to 22 May 2025. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from 28 to 30 April.
