39^th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda item 3

Clustered interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination and the Special Rapporteur on the implications for human rights of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substance and wastes

Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine

(Geneva, September 12, 2018)

Mr. President,

We welcome this dialogue with both Special Procedures; let me turn to the Working Group on mercenaries.

We thank the Working Group for the report, which raised the issue of such especially vicious phenomenon as the recruitment and use of children by non-State armed groups, including mercenaries and private military and security companies. To our grave concern this wicked practice is spread not only in the regions mentioned in the report, but is present in Europe.

Ukraine remains concerned about the state-sponsored recruitment of mercenaries, thousands of whom are brought by the Russian Federation to our country with the obvious purpose to undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity and constitutional order – these actions are clearly defined by the UN Mercenary Convention as contravening international law. In addition, various sources report that children as young as 15 years old were being recruited to armed youth groups in the occupied parts of Donbas for involvement in active combat as members of the Russia-led forces.

Taking into account that recruitment and use of children as combatants for such activities are totally non-permissible under any circumstances, we appeal to the Working Group to continue paying due attention and considering possible ways of dealing with this extremely dangerous phenomenon.

To conclude, I would like to reiterate the readiness of the Government of Ukraine to constructively cooperate with both mandate holders. 

I thank you.