Minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, Alex Davies-Jones MP addresses the United for Justice Conference in Kyiv.
Friends…
I am so honoured to be here with you all today…
On behalf of the British Government, and the British public -
Which stands, now, and always…
With the people of Ukraine.
We are four years into this brutal war.
Four long years of unspeakable atrocities, and hardship.
Four years in which Ukraine's children have grown up subjected to terror from the skies…
And the constant sound of sirens.
For some of them, it is all they have ever known.
Four years of families being torn apart, and homes reduced to rubble.
Lives shattered in ways that that most people cannot - and will never have to - comprehend.
And yet, despite everything - Ukraine endures.
Despite the bombs, you stand.
Despite the brutality, you resist.
Despite the pain, you continue to fight.
And all of us here stand with you.
Because the Ukrainian spirit - your courage, your resilience…
Your belief in a better future - has not been broken.
It is that hope we all share:
That together, we can secure a lasting peace…
And rebuild this remarkable country, even stronger than before.
And through the 100 Year Partnership between our two countries, the UK is clear:
We will stand with Ukraine not just in this moment of war…
But in the long work of recovery, and rebuilding for generations to come.
But we cannot speak of peace…
We cannot speak of rebuilding…
Without speaking of justice.
There can be no lasting peace without accountability.
And the UK is unwavering in its commitment to that accountability.
We are supporting Ukraine politically, financially, and practically -
Including £16.5 million for domestic war crimes investigations…
Ensuring Ukraine has the skills and expertise it needs to drive these forward…
With ongoing support for the International Criminal Court…
And we continue to back efforts to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression…
So those responsible for Russia's war are held to account.
And justice for victims remains at the heart of this.
Justice for the people of Bucha, and Irpin…
For all Ukrainians whose lives, rights, and dignity have been violated.
And for the children.
Ripped from their homes and the people they love…
As their families weep for their return.
More than 20,000 of them…
Forcibly deported, and denied the chance to come home…
Many subjected to indoctrination camps…
Which seek to erase their very identity as Ukrainians…
To wipe out their proud culture…
And destroy Ukraine's future…
Something the UN Independent inquiry has described as a crime against humanity.
The international community must not turn a blind eye…
And we will not look away.
We will keep calling Russia out for these crimes.
We demand the return of every child…
And will press for it in every forum we have.
And we are backing words with action…
Supporting Ukrainian-led efforts to verify cases…
Trace children's whereabouts…
And reunite families.
And we must also pursue justice for the violence that is not so readily seen.
The violence hidden through shame, or stigma…
The rapes, and sexual violence…
Used brutally, and systematically as a weapon of war.
Against women.
Against men.
Against children.
These crimes are devastating…
And they are, so often, underreported…
Because of fear…
Or the sheer difficulty of investigation in occupied areas.
But they must be confronted.
And the UK is helping Ukraine to protect women and girls from sexual violence, and other gender-based crime…
Ensuring that specialist services are there for survivors…
So they can begin to recover and rebuild their lives.
At the same time, we are supporting Ukrainian investigators and prosecutors to pursue survivor-centred justice…
Equipping them with the skills and expertise they need.
And we are absolutely clear:
Ukraine's recovery can only happen if women are able to play their part.
That is why we champion the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women in decision-making…
Which will be critical not only to Ukraine's reconstruction…
But to securing a just, prosperous and lasting peace.
Yet even in the darkest moments of war, Ukraine has been a leader…
Not least in tech, and innovation.
You have revolutionised the fight against Russian drones…
A threat causing such devastation to your cities, and infrastructure.
In the UK, that same technology is the scourge of our prisons -
Flying in drugs and weapons, and fuelling addiction, violence and organised crime.
We are incredibly grateful to Ukraine for sharing its hard-won experience here…
In January, we announced funding to accelerate anti-drone research…
And we are now launching a new open competition…
Innovate UK are providing £5 million for UK research organisations to build on that momentum…
I hope Ukrainian researchers will consider partnering with them…
So that new relationships will emerge, which can turbocharge this technology.
And as the UK works with Ukraine through our Memorandum of Co-operation, signed last year…
To rebuild its justice system, and strengthen the rule of law…
This is real partnership:
Not a one-way street…
But learning from each other…
To keep our people safe.
As this war continues, our sense of solidarity only grows stronger.
And our shared purpose is clear:
A just and lasting peace for Ukraine…
Because peace without justice is no peace at all.
The UK will continue to stand with you.
Together - we will have accountability,
We will drive recovery…
We will lay the foundations for freedom.
And, just as the Ukrainian spirit is undimmed…
Its courage, unflinching…
Our shared hope for the future, is unbreakable.
Thank you, and Slava Ukraini.
