Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine

at the United Nations Security Council Open Debate

“The victims of attacks and abuses on ethnic or religious ground

in the Middle East" 

(New York, 27 March 2015)

Mr. President,

At the outset, I would like to thank you for convening this important and timely Open Debate which can be considered as a valuable contribution to the common efforts of the international community in addressing violent extremism, religious and ethnic hatred, and intolerance in the Middle East.

Ukraine fully supports the position of the Security Council that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations, whenever and by whosoever committed.

Ukraine supports the provisions of the latest Security Council resolutions concerning threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, in particular the resolution 2199 (2015) adopted 12 February 2015 and devoted to the activity of terrorist organizations, such as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Daesh).

Ukraine remains committed to achieving lasting peace, stability and security in Syria, Iraq and the wider region, as well as to countering the ISIL threat. We share the idea that an inclusive political transition in Syria and inclusive political governance in Iraq are crucial to sustainable peace and stability in the region.

In this respect, Ukraine is deeply concerned about ISIL and other associated terrorist entities and the negative impact of their presence, violent extremist ideology, and actions on the stability of Iraq, Syria and all the region, including the devastating humanitarian impact on the civilian populations which has led to the displacement of millions of people, and about their acts of violence that foment sectarian tensions.

We strongly condemn the widespread and systematic persecution of minorities in the Middle East on ethnic or religious ground, the indiscriminate attacks, atrocities, killings and abuses of human rights which are perpetrated by ISIL and other terrorist groups, in particular against Christians and other religious and ethnic groups.

Ukraine also expresses its deep concern regarding the destruction of cultural heritage in Iraq and Syria particularly by ISIL, including targeted destruction of religious sites and objects. We support the UN Security Council decision that all Member States shall take appropriate steps to prevent the trade in Iraqi and Syrian cultural property and other items of archaeological, historical, cultural, rare scientific and religious importance.

Ukraine also supports the UN Security Council in condemning abductions of women and children, their exploitation and abuse committed by ISIL and other associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities.

All this activity must be stopped by all possible measures and this issue should stay on the UN Security Council agenda and be under its due attention.

Mr. President,

In the Foreign Ministry statement of September 16, 2014 Ukraine welcomed the results of the International conference on peace and security in Iraq, held 15 September 2014 in Paris.

We expressed our support concerning efforts of the new Iraqi government aimed at strengthening the rule of law, inclusiveness of all political forces within the federal institutions of power and uncompromised fight against manifestations of terror.

Ukraine, which decisively fights against foreign backed terrorists on its territory and faces direct external aggression, shares the view that the terrorist group “Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant” is a threat not only to Iraq and Syria, but also to the entire international community.

Ukraine supports all efforts aimed at the unconditional fight against terrorism regardless of where and in what form they take place.

I thank you Mr. President