Human Rights Council 32, Statement under Item 10, 30 June 2016
UK statement under Item 10.
The Human Rights Council takes place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva
Mr. President,
The UK remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Ukraine. This includes reports of arbitrary detention of civilians, torture, ill-treatment and enforced disappearances in eastern Ukraine, as well as the recent banning of the Tartar Mejlis in the Crimea. We call on Russia to respect international law and allow unfettered access into Crimea and eastern Ukraine of international human rights monitoring agencies. We call on both Russia and Ukraine to investigate reports of violations and abuses, ensuring those responsible are held to account.
We are encouraged by the progress made by the unity government in Libya. But reports of continued violations and abuses, including war crimes, remain a serious concern.
The UK echoes the calls to Maldives from the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group for the release of political prisoners, strengthening the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary, and action to restore confidence in the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and free speech.
In Somalia, we remain concerned at the targeting of journalists with impunity, the widespread use of the military courts and public executions held in violation of international human rights law.
We are concerned about harassment of the acting leader of the opposition and representatives of civil society organisations in Cambodia.
Recent inter-communal fighting in Mali is a cause for concern. We call on the signatories to the Malian Peace and Reconciliation Accord to implement the provisions on justice and accountability following the conflict in northern Mali in 2012 and 2013.
Fragile security across the Central African Republic, together with human rights abuses including gender based violence, lack of accountability and the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, remain significant problems.
To promote national reconciliation, the UK calls on the Government of Cote D’Ivoire to ensure that all parties responsible for abuses and violations of international humanitarian law during the 2010/11 post-electoral crisis are brought to justice.
Thank you, Mr President.