39^th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Agenda item 4

General debate

Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine,

Ambassador H.E. Mr. Yurii Klymenko

(18 September 2018)

 

Mr. President,

We once again draw attention to the shameful practice of using by Russia of political persecution against Ukrainian and Crimean Tatars activists as a tool to deter and eliminate any opposition to illegal occupation and attempted annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

The Kremlin illegally detains over 70 Ukrainian citizens under trumped-up, politically motivated criminal charges. Together with a complete lack of any chance for fair trial, widespread practice of physical and psychological pressure and tortures, ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detention, such policy leads to massive violations of the most basic human rights. 

Despite numerous appeals by the Ukrainian side and assurances by the Russian Federation, even at the highest level, the Ukrainian Ombudsperson has not been granted access to any of the political prisoners – citizens of Ukraine.

The health condition of Oleg Sentsov, who went on an indefinite hunger strike on 14 May – 128 days ago by now – remains critical and deteriorates daily.

Volodymyr Balukh continues an indefinite hunger strike for over 180 days; he is essentially between life and death. Moreover, a few days ago he was severely beaten in prison.

Russia is trying to suppress the Crimean Tatars’ community on the territory of the occupied Crimea through daily searches, intimidations, and limitations on the freedom of assembly and religion, etc.

Such actions of the Russian occupation administration must not be tolerated any longer.

We urge the UN member states and international organizations to take further steps to increase pressure on the Russian Federation in order to stop flagrant and systematic human rights violations and release all Ukrainian citizens illegally held by Russia.

Access for international monitoring missions to the occupied territories is critical.  

The Russian Federation shall stop political persecutions against Ukrainian citizens both in the occupied Crimea and in Russia.

I thank you.