- December 19, 2025
- 6:43 pm
- World News
The UN General Assembly adopted an updated resolution on the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. Israel voted in support of the document, which became another international confirmation of the non-recognition of the Russian occupation.
It is noted that Russia has been on the list for the third year as a “persistent violator” for the killing and maiming of Ukrainian children and attacks on educational and medical institutions in Ukraine.
The resolution in question is DR 49 (agenda item 71(c)) A/80/545, submitted for consideration by the General Assembly during the 80th session of the UN on December 18, 2025.
How the votes were distributed
79 countries voted for the resolution – the USA, all of Europe (except Serbia), all democratic countries.
16 opposed: Russia, Belarus, South Korea, China, Iran, Burkina Faso, Eritrea, Sudan, Mali, Zimbabwe, Burundi, CAR, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cuba, Nicaragua.
Another 73 delegations abstained.
Israel’s support for the document became a noticeable political signal against the backdrop of a complex regional and international context.
What the resolution says
The document covers the human rights situation in all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia, not just in Crimea. It provides for enhanced international monitoring of systemic violations committed by the Russian occupation administration against the local population.
The General Assembly directly condemns Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, reaffirms Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and emphasizes the non-recognition of any attempts to change the status of the occupied territories.
Moscow is required to immediately cease aggression and withdraw all troops from the territory of Ukraine.
Specific highlights of the document
The resolution expresses serious concern about:
– the militarization of the occupied territories;
– the forced mobilization of local residents into the armed forces of Russia;
– the persecution of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society representatives;
– the destruction of cultural heritage, including in Crimea.
The document is strengthened by provisions directly condemning torture, inhumane treatment, and other gross human rights violations against Ukrainian prisoners of war and illegally detained civilians.
Findings of international investigations
The resolution is based on data from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Russia’s crimes. They confirm facts of enforced disappearances, systematic torture, and cruel treatment — both in the occupied territories of Ukraine and in Russia itself.
Separately, the refusal of Russian authorities to provide information about the fate and whereabouts of abducted or captured Ukrainians is condemned. The General Assembly demands the immediate disclosure of this information.
Demands to Russia
The UN calls for ensuring unhindered access for international mechanisms, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, guaranteeing them medical assistance, conducting a full exchange of prisoners, and releasing all illegally detained persons — Crimean Tatars, political prisoners, journalists, and activists.
The General Assembly also recalls the UN Secretary-General’s warning about the possible inclusion of Russia in the so-called “list of shame” for conflict-related sexual violence crimes.
It is noted that Moscow has already been listed for the third consecutive year as a “persistent violator” for the killing and maiming of Ukrainian children, as well as attacks on educational and medical institutions.
The vote on resolution DR 49 once again recorded the international alignment of forces around the war against Ukraine and emphasized that the issue of human rights in Crimea remains a subject of global attention — including from Israel, which is of particular importance for the regional and diplomatic agenda NANews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency.