HRC45 – Item 10 – Ukraine
HRHF oral statement
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On 16 September, long prison sentences were handed to seven Crimeans in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. These included Crimean Tatar human rights defenders working for Crimean Solidarity, and its coordinator Server Mustafayev who was sentenced to fourteen years.
We have raised Mustafayev’s case before, and his conviction is a new low. Yet his case is also symbolic of 99 Crimeans who are deprived of their liberty for political or religious reasons.
We also continue to have grave concerns relating to the attacks on journalists and bloggers across Ukraine.
Our partners have recorded around 350 cases of human rights violations against journalists, bloggers and civic activists since the beginning of the occupation of Crimea. These include physical attacks, criminal and administrative procedures, and confiscation of property.
And there are cases in government-controlled territory too. On 23 July, there was the house of the Anti-Corruption Action Center Chairman Vitaly Shabunin who lives in Kyiv was set on fire. On 17 August, a Radio Free Europe vehicle was also set on fire.
Madam President.
We ask the High Commissioner the following:
- Will she make a particular appeal to the Russian authorities on Server Mustafayev’s behalf, as well as a new appeal on behalf of the many other Crimeans unjustly detained and imprisoned?
- What more can the Ukrainian authorities do to protect journalists and anti-corruption activists, including those working in the territory it controls?
Thank you.
