42th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Agenda item 3
Clustered interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and the Working Group on the use of mercenaries
Intervention by the Permanent Representative of Ukraine,
Ambassador H.E. Mr. Yurii Klymenko
(9 September 2019)
Mr President,
We welcome the Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery and commend the work done by Ms Urmila Bhoola in identifying the causes, consequences and solutions to this disturbing phenomenon.
As once again confirmed by the report, slavery is a global problem that endures in the modern days. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur is central to international efforts to eradicate it, and Ukraine will continue to support it.
Ukraine shares the observations of the Special Rapporteur with regard to a higher risk of slavery associated with migration and has been taking rigorous steps to address the issue. In 2017, the Government of Ukraine adopted a new Strategy for State Migration Policy , which introduces new elements to the migration policy for the benefit of employment security of the Ukrainians abroad as well as for foreigners in Ukraine.
Mr President,
The ongoing Russian armed aggression has led to dire humanitarian situation on the occupied territories of Donbas. The aggression has forced thousands to flee their homes; so far, nearly 1.4 million people in my country are officially registered as internally displaced. In order to remove all possible risks the IDPs may face as a vulnerable group, Ukraine is implementing a national “Strategy for the Integration of Internally Displaced Persons” to ensure their proper integration.
However, we are extremely concerned about impunity and intimidation observed in the occupied territories of Donbas. A worrying trend is alleged use of forced labor as a form of slavery by the occupation administration, including, inter alia, OHCHR documented reports of forced labour in a number of penal colonies.
We call upon the international community to maintain the political and diplomatic pressure on Russia to end its armed aggression against Ukraine.
I thank you.