Advocate Vrinda Grover Appointed to UNHRC Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

Advocate Vrinda Grover has been appointed as a member of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2022. The Commission, consisting of three members, was formed on March 4, 2022, with the objective of investigating alleged human rights violations, violations of international humanitarian law, and related crimes in the context of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine.

On April 4, 2023, the Council extended the Commission’s mandate for an additional year. The appointment of Advocate Vrinda Grover to the Commission was announced through a press release by President of the Human Rights Council, Ambassador Václav Bálek (Czechia).

The press release highlighted Grover’s expertise in constitutional law, criminal law, and human rights, with over 34 years of experience as a practicing advocate in India. Grover has appeared as counsel in significant cases before various courts, commissions of inquiry, and quasi-judicial authorities, including the Supreme Court of India. She holds a law degree from Delhi University and a Master’s in Law from New York University.

Grover has been actively involved in women’s rights and human rights movements in India and has contributed to the development of legislation protecting women and children from domestic violence and sexual violence. She has also advocated for laws prohibiting torture and legislation to safeguard against communal and targeted violence. Since 1989, she has practiced independently at the Supreme Court of India, High Courts, and trial courts, specializing in criminal law, women’s rights, and human rights. Grover is frequently invited to provide training at police, bureaucracy, and judicial academies.

In 2013, Time magazine recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Grover will join Chair Erik Møse (Norway) and Commissioner Pablo de Greiff (Colombia), who have been serving on the Commission of Inquiry since March 2022.

The Commission is scheduled to provide an oral update to the Human Rights Council during its fifty-fourth session in September 2023, submit a report to the General Assembly in October 2023, and present a comprehensive report to the Human Rights Council during its fifty-fifth session in March 2024.