Ukraine receives first representative in UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture

Ukrainian candidate Anton Symkovych was elected to the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture. He will serve on the international body for the period 2027–2030. This is the first representation of Ukraine in the Subcommittee.

The elections were held on October 1 during the 11th Meeting of States Parties to the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture. 60 states voted for Anton Symkovych’s candidacy — enough to be elected in the first round.

The competition was significant: 22 candidates from 21 countries applied for 13 vacant seats. Along with the Ukrainian representative, candidates from Ghana, Chile, Greece, Lebanon, Hungary, Montenegro, Togo, Uruguay, Peru, Latvia, Croatia, and Moldova were elected in the first round.

Why is this important for Ukraine

Andriy Melnyk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, stressed the special importance of this decision in the context of war and the situation with Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians held by Russia.

According to him, thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians illegally held by the Russian Federation continue to be subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

The election of Anton Symkovych is also seen as international recognition of the professional experience of Ukrainian specialists in the field of human rights protection.

The Ukrainian candidacy was jointly promoted during the election campaign by the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the UN in New York, the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Mission of Ukraine in Geneva.

Anton Symkovych will represent Ukraine in the UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture in 2027–2030.