45th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Agenda Item 3
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
Intervention by the delegation of Ukraine
(15 September 2020)
Mme President,
We congratulate the Special Rapporteur on the assumption of the mandate and wish Mr. Obokata every success in his new capacity. Ukraine fully shares concerns about the COVID-19 impact on contemporary forms of slavery outlined in the report, particularly with regards to trafficking in human beings.
This issue remains acute for many countries all over the world, including Ukraine. Russian aggression has displaced more than 1.4 million people, making them a vulnerable group. In addition to limited employment options in the occupied Donbas, the Russian proxies place restrictions on international humanitarian aid, deny access for the monitoring missions. Issuing Russian passports in Donbas further complicates the fight against trafficking in human beings.
Despite external challenges, Ukraine continues to improve its respective capacities. Following the ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings in 2010, Ukraine received two monitoring visits. The Government implemented several activities to enhance the National Mechanism for Interaction of Agents for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, strengthen the human capacity of government institutions, facilitate international investigations, and improve national legislation. Government’s efforts also include: training for law-enforcement agencies; awareness raising campaigns, educational program "Personal Dignity. Life safety. Civic Position”.
Relying on its experience of cooperation with the regional institutions, Ukraine is looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with the Special Rapporteur and remains committed to the eradication of contemporary forms of slavery, its causes, and consequences.
Thank you.