Call for Submissions by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

The Commission in particular values first-hand information provided by survivors of events, their relatives, and witnesses. It investigates reports of violations and crimes in all areas directly impacted by the conflict, regardless of the identity, nationality, or origin of the alleged perpetrators.

The Commission is interested in information on the following issues regarding both parties to the armed conflict, as applicable:

• Drone attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects.
• Attacks on energy-related infrastructure that have caused great suffering or serious injury to civilians.
• The use of torture to obtain false testimonies for use in trials, media, or for propaganda purposes.
• Violations committed against civilians solely because of their political activity or allegiance.
• Individual or collective transfers or deportations of civilians.
• Sexual and gender-based violence and the impact on survivors, including challenges faced by them to get support.
• Transfers or deportation of children and obstacles to their return to Ukraine.
• Issues related to the birth registration and acquisition of citizenship of children born in occupied areas.
• Confiscation of property in occupied areas.
• Violations committed by armed forces’ commanders against members of their own forces, including during mobilization.
• Information about war crimes trials.

The Commission attaches the utmost importance to the protection of sources, notably concerning the respect for confidentiality and the ‘do no harm’ principle (not to jeopardize the life, safety, freedom and well-being of victims, witnesses and other cooperating persons). It will only disclose the identity of cooperating persons if there is an informed consent from them and will use the information provided in accordance with their stated wishes.

Furthermore, the Commission takes all possible measures to ensure protection of information, including through the use of appropriate information communication technologies. 

It should be noted that not all information sent to the Commission will necessarily be reflected in the reports.

In order to preserve the security and confidentiality of the information submitted, it is recommended to submit through the specific email address created by the Commission for this purpose: ohchr-submission-coiukraine@un.org Should you have any questions, including on how to submit information in a different way, please contact the Commission at: coi-ukraine@un.org

Background:

The Commission was established by the UN Human Rights Council in March 2022 to investigate violations and abuses of human rights,  violations of international humanitarian law, and  related crimes  in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine. In April 2025 its mandate was renewed with one additional year. 

The Commissioners were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights Office provides support to the Commission of Inquiry, the commissioners serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including the UN. Any views or opinions presented herein are solely those of the mandated Commissioners.

Contact information: 

Saule Mukhametrakhimova, Media Adviser, Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, saule.mukhametrakhimova@un.org, + 43 6763 493464