Human Rights Council 37th session (26 February – 23 March 2018)
Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner Oral Update on Ukraine
21 March 2018
Statement of Ireland
Ireland aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union and adds the following.
Mr President,
Ireland expresses its sincere thanks for this latest update on the human rights situation in Ukraine and for the important work of the OHCHR and the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
Last Sunday marked the fourth anniversary of the illegal annexation of Crimea. Ireland does not recognise the annexation and remains unwavering in our support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We are deeply disturbed by reports of the deteriorating human rights situation on the Crimean peninsula. We continue to be extremely concerned by the detention of Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko and Mykola Semena. But there are numerous other political prisoners, human rights defenders and civil society activists whose rights have been violated. It is vital that international human rights monitors have unrestricted access to the entire of Ukraine, including Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.
In the Donbas, we are acutely aware of the daily struggles of those living close to the line of contact who are ground down by four years of fighting. The OCHA’s assessment that 3.4 million men, women and children in eastern Ukraine urgently need humanitarian assistance and protection is alarming. The prevalence of mines and explosive remnants of war in the region is unacceptable. The contamination of the land poses not just an immediate physical risk, but has long-term consequences for recovery from this conflict.
Ireland is concerned by the report’s accounts of attacks against journalists and other incidents obstructing the right to freedom of expression and the work of media outlets. All such attacks must be the subject of prompt, thorough and impartial investigations. We note that several key recommendations of the OHCHR and UNHCR were taken into account during the revision of the draft legislation concerning territory not controlled by the Government in certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. We would support the OHCHR in its cautioning against the over-broad application of legislative provisions aimed at protecting Ukraine’s national security and territorial integrity.
Mr. High Commissioner,
Ireland would welcome your assessment of the most urgent steps needed to improve the conditions on the ground.
