35^th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda item 3

Clustered interactive dialogue with Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association

and Special Rapporteur on the right to education

Intervention by the Delegation of Ukraine

June 7, 2017

Mr. President,

We welcome conducting this dialogue with both Special Rapporteurs; may I focus on the right to education.

We studied with interest the report of Ms. Koumbou Boly Barry exploring the issue of non-formal education. We agree that in a number of difficult circumstances non-formal education could be a reasonable way of ensuring right to education for all. It could also be a good supplement for the formal education in certain cases. However, in our view, it should not create an excuse for the Governments that fail to implement their duties.

Following the Russian illegal occupation of Crimea, thousands of Ukrainians there can’t fully enjoy their right to education due to the discriminatory policy of the Russian occupying authority towards all the Ukrainians living on the peninsula, prohibiting education in Ukrainian language.

The Government of Ukraine, being committed to providing universal quality education for all and at all levels, developed a simplified procedure for the residents of the illegally occupied Crimea and the occupied part of Donbas, for obtaining the general secondary education in the territory controlled by Ukrainian authorities.

Meanwhile, in order to bring Russia to international legal order, Ukraine filed the case before the International Court of Justice to hold the Russian Federation accountable for acts of discrimination, including under the CERD.

The ICJ indicated on 19 April 2017 a number of provisional measures, and, in particular, ordered Russia to ensure the availability of education in the Ukrainian language in the occupied Crimea.

We believe that the situation in the occupied territories of Ukraine merits the attention of the distinguished Special Rapporteur.

Thank you.