Mr. President,
Madame Independent Expert,
On March 6, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors stated that during her visit to Crimea she found no evidence of violations or threats to the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking citizens in Crimea.
As it was repeatedly witnessed by international experts, including of the UN system, there is no credible evidence of Russian minority rights violations in Ukraine.
The new government of Ukraine has unequivocally stated its reinvigorated adherence to the promotion and protection of rights of minorities according to the highest international standards (relevant data has been circulated as a document of the HRC). Let me give you just some figures to support these statements.
Around 40% of all printed mass media in Ukraine are in the Russian language.
There are 1176 Russian language newspapers in Ukraine.
10 to 90 % of the total broadcasting in Ukraine (depending on the region) use the Russian language.
103 Russian minority NGOs conduct large scale activities in Ukraine.
Russian is the language of study in more than 1200 general schools.
The 2012 Language Law remains in force. At the same time there was a decision to produce a new bill to enhance necessary protection according to the best international standards. It is to be sent to the Venice Commission by March 30.
All evidence available definitely testifies that there are no prerequisites for ethnic tensions or discrimination in Ukraine, including with regard to the Russian minority. It is solidly based on relevant reports of the UN human rights mechanisms, including the UPR and treaty bodies.
At the same time, the Ukrainian government and the OSCE High Commissioner are alarmed that human rights violations and inter-ethnic relations in the Crimea became considerably aggravated as a result of actions by the self-proclaimed government of Crimea, including illegal decisions to conduct the so-called “referendum” and to become a part of the Russian Federation.
We would appreciate hearing the Independent Expert’s opinion on what measures could be taken to protect the Ukrainian, Crimean Tatar and other groups in Crimea, whose rights are violated under the Russian occupation.
Thank you.