UN High Commissioner’s oral update on Ukraine
HRHF oral statement
18 December 2020
Check against delivery.
Thank you.
Despite high-profile releases of political prisoners in 2019, more than 100 Crimean political prisoners remain, and politically-motivated prosecutions continue.
Fabricated charges relating to anti-terrorism and anti-extremism legislation continue to be used against human rights defenders, lawyers, activists and journalists, with Crimean Tatar’s particularly targeted.
We continue to raise two cases of Crimean human rights defenders, in particular, those of Emir-Usein Kuku, and Server Mustafayev, the coordinator of Crimean Solidarity, who was sentenced to fourteen years in September. Both cases have been specifically highlighted in the General Assembly resolution on the human rights situation in Crimea that has just been adopted in New York and deserves the Council’s further attention.
Madam President.
We also recently heard the High Commissioner’s oral update on Belarus. Many Belarusians have left their country, fearing for their safety, with a significant number arriving in Ukraine in recent months.
We ask the High Commissioner what more can the Ukrainian authorities do to assist and protect Belarusians who have fled Belarus to escape the human rights crisis? Would she agree that Ukraine ought to allow Belarusian human rights defenders to stay and work in Ukraine beyond the current 90-day limit?
Thank you.
