UN rights experts brief the Human Rights Council on Ukraine's war toll and Russia's repression abroad in 'Nowhere is safe'
21 September 2026
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine updated the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 21 September 2026.
Commission chair Erik Møse said Russian strikes on energy infrastructure are leaving civilians more exposed as winter approaches; the commission will report fully to the General Assembly in October.
It is also examining weapons training made compulsory from age 14 in occupied areas.
Special Rapporteur Mariana Katzarova presented her report 'Nowhere is safe', drawing on nearly 400 documented cases of Russian repression of critics abroad.
She said between 650,000 and 900,000 people have left Russia since 2022 and that Russia files more INTERPOL red notices than any other country.
In plain words
Special Rapporteur — An independent expert appointed by the Human Rights Council to report on a country or theme.
Red notice — An INTERPOL request to police worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition.