41st session of the Human Rights Council
Item 9
Intervention by Ukraine
(Geneva, July 8, 2019)
Mr. President,
Ukraine is committed to combatting racial discrimination and intolerance and takes necessary steps to eradicate this shameful phenomenon within its borders. In accordance with National Strategy for Human Rights, the National Point of Contact on Combatting Hate Crimes, and the Unit for combatting radical groups have been created in Ukraine to counter and prevent intolerance and racial discrimination.
Fully upholding its obligations under international human rights law, Ukraine strongly rejects all deceptive allegations of racism and xenophobia from a state that unashamedly violates human rights and is held accountable for these violations in the ICJ. As it has been repeatedly recorded in OHCHR reports, the Russian Federation has committed, sponsored and condoned extreme violence - including abduction, torture, disappearance and murder - against Crimean Tatars and Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Employing fear and intimidation tactics, the Russian Federations suppressed cultural expression of Crimean Tatarsand outlawed the Mejlis, the sole legitimate representative body of the Crimean Tatar people declaring it to be an “extremist” organization. More than two years ago, the ICJ ordered Russia to “refrain from maintaining or imposing limitations on the ability of the Crimean Tatar community to conserve its representative institutions, including the Mejlis”. But Russia considers itself above the international law and continues its blatantly illegal ban on the Mejlis, ignoring the binding Order of the Court.
Therefore, Mr. President, Ukraine reiterates the call upon the international community to reinforce pressure to make Russia comply as an occupying power with its international obligations, including immediately cease and further desist from the policy of cultural erasure and guarantee the full protection of the rights of the Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians on the temporary occupied territories of Ukraine.
I thank you