UNGA Third Committee Statement by the delegation of Ukraine on agenda item 66: report of Human Rights Council (7 November 2024)

Chair,

I would like to express my delegation’s sincere appreciation to the President of the Council, distinguished Ambassador of Morocco H.E. Mr. Omar Zniber, to praise his dedication and capable leadership of the Council’s activities against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty caused by the liquidity crisis.

This year’s HRC sessions unfolded under the relentless backdrop of Russia’s missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, with my fellow Ukrainians enduring daily air raids and immense personal losses. As we confront global human rights issues, it is crucial to recognize that Russia’s aggression persists unremittingly.

Regrettably, we have seen Russia attempt to abuse the Council, distorting facts to mask the Kremlin’s sanctioned violations and evade accountability for the war crimes committed in Ukraine. Any attempts by Russia to misuse the Council to legitimize its aggression and occupation, including by unlawfully involving representatives from Crimea, must be strongly rejected.

The ongoing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine stems from years of systematic repression of freedoms and independent media within its borders. We therefore welcome the extension of the Special Rapporteur on Russia, hoping that continued monitoring will encourage Russia’s adherence to international standards, particularly regarding the rights of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians in detention.

Many resolutions adopted by the Council this year, especially the extension of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, are vital to holding Russia accountable. We also commend the consensus adoption of the resolution on disinformation, a tool Russia wields as a weapon of war against Ukraine. This resolution is a timely measure to preserve information integrity globally.

The resolution on genocide prevention serves as a critical reminder of the Holodomor, a genocide orchestrated by Stalin against the Ukrainian people. Today, similar genocidal rhetoric and actions by the Kremlin, including forcible deportations of Ukrainian children, demand a decisive international response.

The prevention of torture resolution is crucial given the documented torture of Ukrainian POWs and civilians in Russian detention. 

We welcome the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and the establishment of a group of experts on Belarus, whose continued monitoring could effectively contribute to the return of unlawfully deported Ukrainian children from Belarus.

We also hope that the resolutions on the rights of the child and on the persons with disabilities would reinforce our efforts to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially in the situations of war and conflict. 

Human rights mechanisms play a pivotal role in upholding global human rights standards, and Ukraine’s experience confirms the value of UN Special Procedures in fostering accountability. Their work illuminates abuses that might otherwise remain hidden.

To support the transparency and efficacy of human rights bodies, we call for sufficient funding. Reducing resources for these mechanisms, especially under the guise of a liquidity crisis, is unacceptable when alternatives for austerity exist. No country should evade scrutiny of its human rights obligations, and we urge that funding cuts do not compromise these vital mechanisms.

Ukraine condemns any acts of intimidation or reprisal against those engaging with the UN and its human rights entities. Their voices deserve to be amplified, not suppressed.

We appreciate the contribution of the UN Human Rights Council and its Special Procedures in addressing the current drastic human rights situation in Ukraine, caused by Russian aggression. Their pivotal role in monitoring, investigating and advocating for human rights makes them an indispensable pillar of the international human rights system and an embodiment of the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ukraine prioritizes technical assistance and the resolutions on cooperation and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights, adopted since Russia’s aggression began in 2014, and interactive dialogues on Ukraine at each session of the Council. These tools allow the international community to receive timely, evidence-based updates on rights violations resulting from this aggression.

Despite the harsh realities imposed by Russia’s aggression, Ukraine steadfastly adheres to its obligations under international law and the UN Charter. 

We hope the HRC and the General Assembly will jointly address Russia's severe rights violations, which demand the attention of the entire UN system.

Thank you.