HRC Ukraine Ukrainian Representative 08JAN2025 14h59min
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SPEAKER 1: Ms. Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (See PDF statement attached)
SPEAKER 2: Ms. Yevheniia Filipenko, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Office and other International Organizations in Geneva
SPEAKER 3: Mr. Evgeny USTINOV, First Counsellor, Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva
Human Rights Council interactive dialogue on the oral update by the High Commissioner on the findings of the OHCHR report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine
Geneva, 8 January 2025, 15:00CET
Venue: Palais des Nations, Room XX, Geneva
Background information
In resolution 53/30 (14 July 2023), the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to present an oral update on the findings of each of the reports of the Office of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Ukraine to the Human Rights Council at each of its sessions, until its fifty-ninth session, and before the end of 2023 and 2024, each to be followed by an interactive dialogue.
Teleprompter
Deputy High Commissioner,
in accordance with established practise,
we will begin by listening
to the delegations of the countries concerned.
The Russian Federation has indicated to the Secretariat that they do not
wish to take the floor at this stage as a country concerned,
and it will take the floor later in the context of the list of speakers.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of
Ukraine.
You have 5 minutes.
Monsieur,
we meet today at the end of the holiday season,
a time
for warmth,
togetherness,
and hope.
I'm sure many of you have cherished stories of the special time that you share.
I too wish I could share such a story with you.
But the reality in Ukraine is tragically different.
On Christmas Day,
when the world celebrated peace,
Ukraine was attacked by 70 missiles and over 100 Russian drones,
ruthlessly targeting our energy infrastructure and
plunging our nation into darkness.
Among the many atrocities,
Russia's barbaric assault on Kiev damaged the
historic Saint Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral,
a precious symbol of faith and history.
It also hits the embassies of Albania,
Argentina,
Palestine,
North Macedonia,
Portugal,
and Montenegro.
These are not just attacks on buildings.
These are vile acts of barbarism and flagrant violations of international law,
humanity,
and civilization itself.
On New Year's Eve,
as many welcomed the new year with joy,
Ukraine endured
another horror.
Over 100 drones ripped through the night sky,
killing 2 people and injuring 7,
including 2 pregnant women in the heart of Kiev.
For us
there were no fireworks,
only explosions,
no confetti,
just broken glass,
no joyful singing in warm homes,
only families shielding in metro stations.
This marked the 3rd consecutive holiday season in Ukraine
under relentless Russian attacks.
This is a daily reality for millions in Ukraine who want to live in peace.
The high commissioner's report lays bare the harrowing reality of
Russia's war against human rights and fundamental freedoms in Ukraine.
In the dead of winter,
Russia's calculated strikes on power grids,
water systems,
and heating infrastructure have left millions freezing in their homes,
struggling without electricity or clean water.
These are not unintended consequences.
These are deliberate acts of terror calculated to spread suffering,
target the most vulnerable,
and shatter the spirit of a nation.
September alone saw the highest number of civilian casualties since July 2022.
574 killed and 3,082 injured,
including 33 healthcare workers,
10 humanitarian workers,
and 33 emergency service workers.
Russia has targeted and destroyed 171 educational facilities and 115
medical centres.
Behind every statistics is a shattered life,
a family mourning a loved one or a child denied safety,
health,
and education.
Distinguished delegates,
the UN Human Rights monitoring mission in Ukraine has continued
to document systematic torture,
executions,
and abuse of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians.
At least 62 Ukrainian POWs,
service persons or the Comba,
have been executed.
In cold blood by Russian forces
and countless others have suffered beatings,
electric shocksification,
mock executions,
and sexual violence.
These are war crimes committed with impunity while Russia
denies access to independent monitors and conceals its atrocities.
In Ukraine's territories temporarily occupied by Russia,
oppression reigns.
Fundamental freedoms are stripped away,
properties confiscated,
cultural identities erased,
and religious communities,
including Muslim organisations and those not
belonging to the Russian Orthodox Church,
are persecuted merely for exercising their right to faith.
Children are being robbed of their innocence,
manipulated into military training,
and forcibly indoctrinated
to erase their Ukrainian identity.
These actions not only violate international law but scar
entire generations and seek to destroy our future.
Deputy High Commissioner,
we have also taken note of the information of the alleged violations by Ukraine
and the recommendations in the reports which will be closely examined.
We would therefore emphasise that the law mentioned in the
report does not prohibit any existing church in Ukraine.
It merely prevents religious organisations in Ukraine from being subordinated.
To governing centres of a state that has carried out
or carrying out armed aggression against Ukraine
and or temporarily occupied parts of its territory
as well as religion or organisations that support aggression against Ukraine,
the law pursues a legitimate aim and provides for a democratic procedure
in which the court has the final say.
We would encourage the UNHCR to base its recommendations on a thorough analysis
of the subject matter and careful examination
of the texts of the related legislation.
Distinguished delegates,
Russia's unlawful action
against Ukraine are calculated,
cruel and designed
to inflict maximum pain and destruction.
These are not the action of a nation seeking resolution,
but of a terrorist state bent on domination and devastation.
Every day of inaction allows this terror to continue,
more lives to be lost,
and the principles of international law to be further eroded.
The only language Russia understands is the language of strength.
Excellence,
dear colleagues,
I now invite delegations to ask.