Statement by the delegation of Ukraine at the Third Committee meeting on agenda item 69 (а, b): Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance

4 November 2025

Chair,

Let me thank the briefers for their insightful presentations.

Ukraine firmly condemns all forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. As a State Party to the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, we believe that its standards, together with other human rights instruments, provide a strong foundation for our common efforts to eradicate these evils.

Ukrainian legislation guarantees full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, ensuring equality in political, economic, social, and cultural life for all citizens — regardless of race, colour, or ethnic origin.

As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Convention, it is regrettable that racism and intolerance persist across the globe. They continue to fuel hatred, persecution, and even crimes against humanity. One of the most striking examples is Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which it cynically justifies under the false pretext of “fighting neo-Nazism.”

For nearly four years, under this false narrative, Russia has waged a brutal war of aggression — in flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international humanitarian law, and international human rights law. Its forces have carried out deliberate attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure, as well as executions, torture, sexual violence, and the forcible deportation of Ukrainians, including children – regardless of the language they speak, including Russian, the very language that Russia so insistently claims to defend in the territories of other states.

Russian state propaganda continues to promote hatred toward Ukrainians, normalizing genocidal rhetoric and denying Ukraine’s very right to exist. Deporting and indoctrinating Ukrainian children — those taken or trapped in the occupied territories — the Russian authorities openly aim, in their own words, “to make Ukrainians Russians again.” If this is not a clear reflection of Nazi-like ideology, then what is?

Ukraine calls on all UN Member States to unequivocally condemn these actions and to recognize “Ruscism,” or Russian fascism, as one of the most dangerous manifestations of contemporary neo-Nazism.

Chair,

On 31 January 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that Russia had violated the Convention due to its discriminatory management of the education system in occupied Crimea, which effectively eliminated Ukrainian-language schooling. This same policy continues across other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

These developments underscore the urgent need to thoroughly assess the effectiveness of existing mechanisms and instruments designed to combat racism, in order to prevent their further manipulation or misuse. This is particularly important at a time when the United Nations is facing a serious budgetary crisis and advancing the UN80 initiative to enhance its efficiency and ensure it remains fit for purpose. We believe that existing resources should be focused on supporting practical, results-oriented measures to combat racism and all forms of discrimination on the ground.

Thank you.