STATEMENT

by the representative of Ukraine

at the General Assembly's meeting on the agenda item 64

“Report of the Human Rights Council”

 

Mr. President,

Ukraine is strongly committed to promotion and protection of human rights and pays special attention to the United Nations activities in this area, in particular within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council. We positively assess the work of the UN Human Rights Council during the reporting period reflected in the HRC Report that encompasses description of its 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th regular sessions.

With its systemic thematic approaches and urgent responses to pressing human rights situations, the Council persuasively demonstrated ability to act as a key UN body responsible for promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

The report provides clear evidence of the Council’s competence and credibility to address urgent country-specific situations. At the same time Ukraine believes that genuine and effective prevention is a pragmatic alternative against human rights violations.

Seeking strengthening of international community's ability for effective prevention in the sphere of human rights, Ukraine consistently proceeds with realization of its initiative – HRC resolution on the role of prevention in the promotion and protection of human rights, traditionally adopted by consensus.

We consider the Special Procedures of the HRC and the Universal periodic review (UPR) mechanism as extremely important tools for the human rights protection that can improve the situation in the human rights field globally.

 Ukraine issued standing invitation to all thematic special procedures and received a number of visits on their request. We would like to encourage countries to closely cooperate with the Special Procedures of the Council, in particular honoring issued standing invitations.

We are also strongly committed to the Universal Periodic Review mechanism. Ukraine timely presented its national report for the 2^nd cycle of the Review to the Working Group on UPR and was successfully reviewed in October 2012 with further adoption of the UPR outcome by the 22^nd HRC session.

Mr. President,

We commend closer HRC cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, more coordinated actions of the HRC and OHCHR, as well as improvement of institutional relations between the Office and the Council.

Speaking in support of further mainstreaming human rights issues to a wide range of activities, further strengthening coordination in the field of human rights within the UN system, my delegation emphasizes the need to avoid duplication of work of the Human Rights Council and the ThirdCommittee of the UN General Assembly.

Being committed to promotion and protection of human rights worldwide Ukraine presented its candidature to the Human Rights Council for the term 2018-2020. My country remains determined to engage in the work of the Council in a constructive manner. As a member of the Council Ukraine will exert every effort to ensure that the UN Human Rights Council fulfills its mandate in a most effective and essential manner.

I thank you, Mr. President.