Enforced Disappearances: Joint Statement to the OSCE, September 2026
The UK and allies condemned Russia’s enforced disappearances in Ukraine, citing ODIHR reports of systematic violations and unlawful detentions, and called for accountability and the release of detainees.
The UK, alongside Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, delivered a joint statement at the OSCE Permanent Council condemning enforced disappearances as inexcusable violations of international law. The statement reaffirmed commitments made in the 2020 Tirana Ministerial Council Decision to prevent torture and cruel treatment, emphasizing that enforced disappearances remain a serious human rights violation in the OSCE region.
The statement highlighted deep concern over Russia’s continued use of enforced disappearances in Ukraine, referencing the ODIHR’s Ninth Interim Report from July 2026. The report documented widespread and systematic violations, including arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances in Russian-occupied territories, with seven civilian arrests occurring as recently as 2025.
ODIHR’s report detailed harrowing accounts from survivors and relatives of detainees, including 20 survivors and 31 relatives of those unlawfully deprived of liberty. Victims consistently reported denial of fundamental procedural safeguards, such as prompt notification of arrest reasons, access to legal counsel, and the ability to challenge detention or maintain contact with the outside world.
The joint statement called on Russia to cease enforced disappearances, release all unlawfully detained individuals, and provide information on the whereabouts of those forcibly disappeared. It concluded by reaffirming solidarity with victims, survivors, and their families across Ukraine, the OSCE region, and globally.