35^th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda item 3

 

Clustered ID with SR on internally displaced persons

and SR on extreme poverty

 

Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine

Ambassador Yurii Klymenko

 

June 8, 2017

 

Thank you, Mr. President,

We would like to congratulate Ms. Jimenez-Damary on her appointment as a Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs and to wish her every success.

Ukraine can`t miss this opportunity to draw your attention to the immense humanitarian challenges arising from the Russian aggression against my country, which triggered, among others, the massive – up to 1.6 million - internal displacement.

In order to provide all necessary assistance to IDPs we have committed ourselves to close cooperation with all international mechanisms and taking on board their recommendations, as it`s the case with your predecessor Dr. Beyani. He, as mentioned in your report, I quote, - “commended the Government for the progress it had made, which included the adoption of a law on internal displacement and the establishment of the Ministry for Temporarily Occupied Territories and Internally Displaced Persons” [unquote].

Ukraine is doing its best to ensure IDPs` better accommodation and increasing social and security guarantees, including to those residing in temporarily occupied territories. Implementation of local community-oriented policies and programs are well under way aiming to move towards a situation in which IDPs can return safely to their homes or find alternative durable solutions.

With regard to the report on IDPs in Georgia, Ukraine encourages your, Ms. Jimenez-Damary, future engagement in resolving their pressing issues and reiterates its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders.

To conclude, we are keen to know how do you see your mandate fulfilment in view of the UN Secretary-General’s call for renewed efforts to prevent internal displacement and address its root causes?

I thank you.