September 23, 2014

Mr. President,

At the outset I would like to thank the OHCHR for the reportA/HRC/27/75 and Assistant Secretary General Mr. Simonovic for its presentation.

We commend the OHCHR work aimed at presenting the objective and impartial information on the human rights situation in Ukraine as it helps to better understand the real causes of its deterioration, which are occupation with further unlawful annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by the Russian Federation and its subversive activities in the southeast of Ukraine.

Since the first monthly report presented last April the human rights situation in my country has been drastically changed. After brutal use of force by the then authorities against peaceful “Euromaidan” that turned into violent clashes resulted in numerous deaths and hundreds of injured, we suddenly found ourselves facing unprecedentedly difficult situation – occupation of our territory – the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

Ukraine will never recognize the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol as Russia’s territories. The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution 68/262 “Territorial Integrity of Ukraine” confirmed the strongest support of the international community of Ukraine’s sovereignty, political independence, unity and territorial integrity. We particularly welcome reminder of this document in the report before us now.

 The occupation of the peninsula has already led to substantial violations of rights and freedoms of Crimean Tatars and other minorities as well as ethnical Ukrainians. Last week showed a new phase of repressions against Mejlis – Assembly of the Crimean Tatar People. It seems that the purpose of such deeds is to force the Crimean Tatars out of their homeland, as evidenced by the flow of the refugees from the peninsula.

We strongly condemn these repressive measures and call upon the international community to contribute to avoiding another forced deportation of Crimean Tatars.

Mr. President,

On the backdrop of another major cause of vast human rights violations, registered by the Monitoring Mission in the southeast of my country – Russia’s direct support of illegal armed groups that already led to aggravation of the conflict, as it happened with the downing of flight MH-17 of Malaysian Airlines – safety and security of our citizens is a matter of principle for the leadership of Ukraine.

These goals are meant to be reached through the implementation of the President Poroshenko Peace Plan, overwhelmingly supported by the international community.The corresponding Government’s Action Plan "Recovery of Ukraine" intends to stabilize the internal situation in the country.

Implementation of the President’s Peace Plan has already helped to release nearly 1,200 people who were captured by terrorists. Unfortunately, Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukrainian servicewoman abducted by the terrorist armed groups and Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov kidnapped in Crimea still remain in Russia deprived of their liberty.

We hope that the agreements reached by the Trilateral contact group in Minsk will be strictly observed by all parties, including the Russian Federation, which must withdraw its military units from Ukraine’s territory and stop support of the terrorist groups with sophisticated weaponry and trained mercenaries. And not to resort instead of concrete practical steps to its propagandist fraudulent approaches.

In spite of continuing breaches of the cease-fire regime by the Russian military units together with terrorist groups, the President of Ukraine has clearly shown his adherence to peace. The Law on a special order of self-governance in certain parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and the Law on amnesty were introduced by the President of Ukraine to the Parliament and adopted on September 16, 2014.

Notwithstanding present challenges in the field of security, Ukraine has embarked on the path of comprehensive reforms based on human rights’ approach.

Policies of implementation of human rights commitments of Ukraine are being carried out in close collaboration with the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and other relevant organizations.

Besides the crucially important event of ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, among most recent improvements of legislation are the amended laws on citizens associations, on protection of children's rights, on combating corruption, law on higher education etc.

To ensure better fulfillment of human rights obligations Ukraine needs appropriate technical assistance, best practices and accumulated knowledge.

We are open for collaboration with all international human rights mechanisms and recently decided to extend presence of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine for another 3 months until December 15. I hope, our effective cooperation with the OHCHR would further continue for the sake of promotion and protection of human rights on the whole territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

I thank you.

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