26th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Agenda item 3
Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions
and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine
Ambassador Yurii Klymenko
June 12, 2014
Mr. President,
Ukraine commends efforts taken by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons in fulfilling his important mandate.
The problem of IDPs recently appeared to become one of the most acute for my Government. The OHCHR report on the human rights situation in Ukraine of 15 May testifies to at least 7,2 thousand internally displaced persons from Crimea registered since its occupation by the Russian Federation. Real figures might be much higher. According to some estimations, by the end of this year the number of Crimean resettlers might reach up to 35 thousand.
The situation of IDPs leaving Eastern regions of Ukraine terrorized by heavily armed separatists and criminals, extensively supported and coordinated across the Eastern border of my country, is also alarming.
Despite present challenges in the field of security, I wish to emphasize that Ukraine has embarked on the path of comprehensive reforms with human rights in their core.
The new President of Ukraine and the Government are strongly committed to upholding its international human rights obligations and to continued cooperation with the Human Rights Council special procedures in line with the issued standing invitation.
In view of the abovementioned the Government of Ukraine invites the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons to pay an official visit to my country.
We are confident, findings and recommendations upon the results of your, Dr. Beyani, visit to Ukraine would help the Government of my country to improve protection of human rights of IDPs.
And I wish you every success in your future endeavors.
Thank you, Mr. President.