The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights should investigate unlawful practices by Ukraine’s military recruitment offices

On 25 June 2026, Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs held an exchange of views with Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. During the meeting, Viktória Ferenc, MEP for Fidesz–KDNP and the member of the Patriots for Europe Group, drew attention to alleged human rights violations in Ukraine: “Ukraine has been at war for more than four years. Thousands of civilians and soldiers have lost their lives. This is an immense tragedy. However, some tragedies could be prevented through appropriate action. Martial law inevitably entails military mobilisation – that is the reality. What deeply concerns me, however, are the alleged human rights violations committed by Ukrainian recruitment officers. In numerous cases, men who are legally exempt from military mobilisation have reportedly been forcibly taken from the streets.”

“The internet is full of authentic videos recorded by surveillance cameras or bystanders showing four or five men seizing military-age men without checking their identity or legal status and forcing them into cars or vans. The Hungarian community in Transcarpathia has also suffered from these unlawful detentions. I have already informed the European Commission about cases involving university students legally exempt from mobilisation, teachers enjoying legal protection who were unlawfully detained, and the tragic deaths of seriously ill men. Yet no meaningful action has been taken, which is difficult to understand,” the MEP added.

The Fidesz MEP of Transcarpathian origin emphasized: “If you choose not to listen to the voices of the people, then simply read the reports of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights or the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, prepared for the UN Human Rights Council. Both reports document serious human rights violations in Ukraine’s mobilisation practices.”

The MEP asked the High Commissioner whether he was aware of the reported unlawful mobilisation practices in Ukraine and what concrete steps he planned to take to ensure that these allegations are properly investigated and that the unlawful practices of Ukraine’s military recruitment offices are brought to an end. In his reply, Volker Türk said that his Office monitors issues affecting minorities and raises concerns with the Ukrainian authorities whenever necessary, adding that they enjoy excellent cooperation. He also stated that all information submitted to his Office is examined. However, he did not address the alleged abuses by Ukraine’s military recruitment offices.

“The European Union recently opened the first cluster of Ukraine’s accession negotiations, where full respect for fundamental and human rights is a core requirement. This makes the issue particularly urgent, as it is clear that serious human rights problems persist in Ukraine. Although the European Commission assured me in its reply to an earlier letter that it would address these violations once the cluster was opened, I fear this may prove to be yet another empty promise. I therefore welcome the opportunity to have informed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights about these concerns today. Following the meeting, we had a brief exchange during which we agreed that I would provide him with further information in writing on the human rights violations suffered by the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia,” Viktória Ferenc said after the meeting.

26 June 2026, Brussels