This was stressed by Permanent Representative of Ukraine in Geneva Yurii Klymenko during discussion with Special Rapporteur on minority issues Rita Izhak in the framework of 28^th session of the Human Rights Council. The results of R.Izhak’s visit to Ukraine shortly after illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by the Russian Federation – under the far-fetched pretext of protection of linguistic and ethnic minorities –shed much-needed light on the real state of affairs in safeguarding their rights in Ukraine. 

Because ofthe growing number of flagrant human rights violations, primarily of Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians, in the occupied Crimea, the Ukrainian representative called on the Special Rapporteur on minority issues to continue paying due attention to their worrying situation. Y.Klymenko also expressed confidence that findings and recommendations of the UN mandate holder will help improve protection of minorities’ rights on the whole territory of our country within its internationally recognized borders.