HRC63: Winter is Coming: Can Ukraine’s Civilians Withstand Another Season of War?
The 63rd Session of the Human Rights Council
7 September 2026 - 7 October 2026
Item 10: Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the oral update on Ukraine
2 October 2026
Winter is Coming: Can Ukraine’s Civilians Withstand Another Season of War?
By Lawrencia Palmer/GICJ
The Interactive Dialogue on 2 October 2026, opened with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Mr. Volker Türk, presenting an oral update on the deteriorating human rights situation in Ukraine. The High Commissioner highlighted the intensification of hostilities, rising civilian casualties, attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure, and the continued need for accountability alongside efforts toward restoring peace.
Central to the discussion was OHCHR’s thematic report on conflict-related sexual violence, which documented 1,004 cases, with 89 per cent attributed to Russian Federation authorities and 11 percent to Ukrainian authorities. The report identified patterns of sexual violence used as a method of torture against prisoners of war and civilians and called for stronger prevention, accountability, survivor-centred support, and access for independent monitors.
Throughout the Interactive Dialogue, delegations and organisations raised concerns regarding civilian casualties, attacks on civilian infrastructure, the treatment of prisoners of war and civilian detainees, the impact of the conflict on children, and barriers to monitoring violations in occupied territories. Accountability remained a central issue, with speakers calling for continued documentation, access to justice, reparations, and respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Ukraine affirmed the findings presented by the High Commissioner and called for increased international support to protect civilians and ensure accountability. The Russian Federation challenged the findings and methodology of the report, arguing that the information relied upon confidential sources and failed to adequately address alleged violations committed by Ukraine.
