Statement by the delegation of Ukraine

at the UNGA plenary meeting

Report of the Human Rights Council (item 66)

delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine 

Khrystyna Hayovyshyn

5 November 2024

President,

Ukraine aligns with the Statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and would like to make some remarks in national capacity.

We express gratitude to the President of the Council, Ambassador of Morocco H.E. Mr. Omar Zniber for his commitment and effective management of the Councils’ activities against the backdrop of continuing uncertainty caused by the liquidity crisis.

Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council continued to take place in the shadow of the Russian Federation’s deliberate attacks on the people of Ukraine.

Its attempts to misuse and abuse the Council to justify its own aggression, including through unlawful participation in the Council’s meetings of the representatives of its occupation administration in Crimea, must be strongly rejected.  

We acknowledge that many of the resolutions adopted by the Council this year have a particular and direct relevance to Ukraine, as the fight against Russian Federation’s unjustified aggression continues. The adopted texts should contribute to making a real difference in the lives of all who continue to suffer from human rights violations and abuses in all parts of the world.

The extension of the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine represents a significant step in bringing the Russian Federation to account for the atrocities inflicted upon the people in Ukraine, Ukrainian POWs and civilian detainees.

Let’s not forget years of systematic suppression of fundamental freedoms, civil space and media environment by the Russian Federation within its own society. We therefore welcome the extension of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Russia, whose numerous concerns we share.

We commend the consensual adoption of the resolution on disinformation, which provides States with a comprehensive and timely guideline on safeguarding integrity of information and countering disinformation. It is especially pertinent for countering Russian disinformation, which it widely uses as a weapon of war in different corners of the world.

The resolution on the prevention of genocide highlights importance of learning the lessons of the past as a way of prevention. We recall that the Holodomor, a deliberately orchestrated famine by the Stalin regime in the 30s of past century was an act of genocide against the Ukrainian people. Today Kremlin’s colonial rhetoric and actions and systematic genocidal hate speech coupled with the forcible deportation of Ukrainian children, call for a resolute response, as prescribed by the adopted resolution.

In view of horrifying evidence of widespread torture, used by the Russian Federation against Ukrainian POWs and civilians, the resolution on the prevention of torture should serve as a drive for joint actions to put an end to this inhumane practice.

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 to Ukraine.

Resolutions on the rights of the child and on the persons with disabilities should reinforce our efforts to protect the most vulnerable populations, especially in the situations of war and conflict.

President,

Human rights mechanisms have critical importance in advancing and upholding human rights worldwide. Ukraine confirms based on our own experience that the UN Special Procedures are instrumental in fostering accountability. Their work helps to identify systemic issues and patterns of abuse, enabling the international community to address the root causes of human rights violations and shedding light on the abuses that might otherwise go unnoticed.

We also strongly support the transparency and devotion of the human rights bodies and mechanisms who by their work prove that no country can avoid the scrutiny of their human rights obligations.

Therefore, we strongly call for adequate financing of human rights mechanisms. It is unacceptable that, under the pretext of a liquidity crisis, resources for these vital mechanisms are reduced. We firmly believe there are numerous other avenues for implementing more effective austerity measures.

Ukraine condemns in the strongest possible terms any acts of intimidation and reprisals against those who are willing to engage with the UN, its representatives and human rights mechanisms. Their voices must not be marginalized or silenced, they must be heard on the international platform.

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 the 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.

The resolutions on cooperation and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights, adopted since the beginning of the Russian aggression in 2014, and interactive dialogues on Ukraine are important tools to provide the international community with evidence-based and timely information about human rights violations by the aggressor State against Ukrainian people.

We count that the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly and the Security Council will work in tandem to address this pressing issue.

Ukraine is committed to work together with partners and the OHCHR in addressing challenges entire international community is facing. Despite the extreme circumstances imposed on our country, Ukraine has always been and remains steadfastly committed to our obligations under international law and the UN Charter.

Thank you.