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UN Human Rights Council 41: general comment on Ukraine

The UK explained the reasons for co-sponsoring the draft resolution and urged members to support Ukraine's request for assistance and cooperation.

UN Globe Geneva

Thank you, Mr President,

The United Kingdom would like to make a General Comment on L9 entitled Cooperation with and assistance to Ukraine in the field of human rights.

The UK welcomes Ukraine’s constructive engagement with this Council.

Ukraine’s open engagement with this Council and with OHCHR in the country continues to be exemplary. We welcome Ukraine’s continued willingness to participate openly and constructively in HRC debates and allow for an open and frank discussion on their human rights challenges at the HRC. We recognise that it is not easy to open up for such scrutiny and discussion on the human rights situation in one’s own country on a regular basis and we commend the Government of Ukraine for its transparency and willingness to discuss its situation so openly.

In this balanced and technical draft we have before us, Ukraine asks for the continuation of OHCHR assistance to their country in the field of human rights, including OHCHR assessments and regular dialogues at the HRC, for another two years. We welcome Ukraine’s wish to extend this assistance for another two years - a clear demonstration of their readiness to find long-term solutions and of their commitment to improving their human rights situation, particularly in the context of the illegal annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The UK has co-sponsored this draft resolution. We urge all members of the HRC to join us in supporting Ukraine’s request for assistance and cooperation.

Thank you, Mr President.

Published 12 July 2019