43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council
Agenda item 9
General Debate
Intervention by the Delegation of Ukraine
M-me President,
Ukraine aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU and would like to make the following comments in its national capacity.
At the opening of the 43rd HRC session, the Secretary-General presented the “Call to Action for Human Rights”. Aspired to promote inclusive human rights agenda, one of the Call’s guiding principles reminds us that human diversity should be treated as an asset, not a threat; that every community must feel that its identity is respected and that it can fully participate in a society; that every individual is entitled to enjoy human rights without discrimination on any basis, including race.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that racism, xenophobia and prejudice continue to entrench divisions and cause suffering of the most vulnerable around the world. Ongoing global crisis reminded us that we must act together to strengthen our societies to eliminate racism and racial discrimination, and Ukraine reiterates its commitment to this cause.
At the same time, we strongly condemn continuing deterioration of the human rights situation amid the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the territory of the Crimean Peninsula temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation. Showing utmost disrespect for the International Court of Justice, Russia ignores its Order on provisional measures in the Case of Ukraine vs the Russian Federation on the Application of The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Order demands to restore the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People and to protect the identity of the Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar communities under temporary occupation.
Instead, Russia continues to treat the indigenous Crimean Tatars as a threat to its ongoing occupation. Conducting a policy of repression, Russia abuses its anti-terrorist laws by fabricating accusations of terrorism to harass and persecute Crimean Tatar activists.
We call on the international community to urge Russia to implement ICJ`s provisional measures, in particular with regard to the application of ICERD, and adhere to its other obligations under international law.
Thank you.