Violations of International Humanitarian Law against Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine dominated the informal meeting of the Security Council convened at the request of the United Kingdom.
The Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, expressed the Greek government’s deep concern over the escalation of violations of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Sekeris praised the work of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Independent International Commission of Inquiry for their in-depth reporting on the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.
The latest reports record, he said, shocking human rights violations by the Russian authorities, including the systematic use of torture against civilians and prisoners of war.
“The human losses have now exceeded 40,000. It is striking that there are now indications that torture is being carried out systematically and in a coordinated manner by the Russian authorities against civilians and prisoners of war, which constitutes a possible crime against humanity,” he said.
Greece, the Greek Permanent Representative said, as a party to the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as well as Additional Protocol 1 of 1977, condemns in the strongest terms the inhumane treatment of prisoners of war and political detainees by the Russian armed forces and the Russian occupation authorities in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Sekeris stressed the importance of ensuring humanitarian access to detainees and called on Russia to cooperate fully with international monitoring and investigative bodies.
Greece underlined its active role in supporting humanitarian efforts, citing its participation in the “Montreal Pledge”, adopted in October 2024 during the Ministerial Conference on the Humanitarian Dimension of the Ukraine Peace Formula. This pledge, Sekeris said, aims to return deported children and prisoners of war.
“We welcome the latest exchange of prisoners of war, which took place on December 30, 2024 under the mediation of the UAE. We encourage all sides to continue these positive steps, in full compliance with International Humanitarian Law,” he said.
Sekeris stressed the need for accountability for crimes against humanity and violations of International Humanitarian Law. Greece supports thorough investigations by international institutions, in order to bring justice to the victims of war crimes, in particular prisoners of war and political prisoners. Accountability, he stressed, is essential to support the international legal order and prevent future violations.
The Greek Permanent Representative reiterated that the Greek government condemns Russian aggression, which he characterised as a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and underlined that Russia’s actions undermine global peace, stability and security in Europe.
Greece reaffirmed its unwavering support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, emphasising Ukraine’s right to self-defence, as enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
“Greece maintains its commitment to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, together with its partners and allies,” Sekeris underlined.
