29th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Agenda item 3
Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women
and the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons
Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine
Ambassador Yurii Klymenko
June 17, 2015
Mr. President,
Ukraine welcomes convening today’s dialogue with mandate holders and would like to particularly commend efforts taken by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons Dr. Beyani in discharging his important duties.
The problem of IDPs recently appeared to become one of the most acute for my Government. And report before us now, resulting from Dr. Beyani’s visit to Ukraine last September, clearly testifies to the magnitude of this problem.
As of 3 June 2015, there were 1.325 mln. registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) from the conflict-affected areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions and from temporally occupied Crimea. Among them – 790 thousand pensioners, 308 thousand people of working age, 167 thousand children and 56 thousand disabled.
Under extremely difficult circumstances, crafted not by Ukraine but the external factors, the Government of my country does everything possible to support IDPs as well as Ukrainian citizens remaining in the conflict zone.
To this end the Government passed a comprehensive IDP law and amendments to the State budget, requesting an UAH 2.85 bln. increase in funding for targeted assistance to IDPs. Besides, a special inter-agency Coordination Headquarters on IDPs was established.
The National program for support, social adaptation and reintegration of internally displaced persons, as well as the Comprehensive program of employment and vocational training for internally displaced persons for 2015 – 2016 are being currently developed.
The State Agency on Reconstruction of Donbas has been also created, whose task is to facilitate restoring systems of life support, social, transport, industrial infrastructure and housing in Donetsk and Luhansk regions as well as creating favorable conditions for the return of IDPs back to their homes.
An interactive online resource for IDPs www.vpo.gov.ua and help hotlines have begun to be operated, offering assistance in searching temporary housing, finding work and other social facilities and services for IDPs; local authorities and volunteers provide basic services to IDPs in many transit centers in the east of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian railways company has transported IDPs free of charge from the conflict-affected areas to other regions of Ukraine.
Out of almost 362 thousand IDP families who applied for financial assistance to cover accommodation and utilities more than 302 thousand have already started receiving it.
These are just some examples of extensive efforts taken by the Ukrainian authorities in meeting needs of displaced persons. But such endeavors, unfortunately, could not be efficient until the root causes of continuously growing IDPs flows are tackled.
They are known – occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and conflict in Donbas still fuelled, despite the Agreements reached in Minsk, by the neighboring state.
Regardless of the ceasefire declared, Russia-backed illegal armed groups intensify fire at Ukrainian army positions along the contact line and settlements in Donbas. Last Friday their on purpose mortar shelling damaged the Kramatorsk-Donetsk gas pipeline leaving, as a result, cities of Mariupol, Berdiansk and Volnovakha without gas supplies.
In this connection we cannot but share importance of bringing the fighting to an end without delay, and full adherence to the provisions of Minsk Agreements, reflected in Special Rapporteur Beyani’s report. This is, as document states, critical to the prevention of further internal displacement and to ensuring the future secure voluntary return of IDPs to their homes.
The sooner the international community assist in increasing pressure on so-called “DNR” and “LNR” as well as their patrons from across the border to comply with the documents they signed in Minsk, the better we will address problems IDPs face today.
We are confident, with corresponding technical assistance, drawing on best practices and in open cooperation with relevant human rights instruments including the Special Procedures, Ukraine will manage to make life of IDPs easier.
And we are thankful for Dr. Beyani’s findings and recommendations which will help the Government of my country to improve protection of human rights of those internally displaced.
To conclude, Mr. President, let me thank organizations and individual Member States for support being rendered to Ukrainian IDPs helping reach those in need in timely manner. We are sincerely grateful for the assistance provided within recognized legal framework with due respect to international principles and Ukrainian Law.
I thank you.