Statement on Ukraine

Item 10: Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's oral report on Ukraine. Statement, 21 March 2018.

 As delivered by Minister Counsellor Herborg F. Alvsåker

President,

We welcome Ukraine’s progress towards legal and judicial reform. We now expect increased focus on implementation to ensure respect for (and upholding of) fundamental rights.

We will continue to support these efforts.

We encourage Ukraine to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses perpetrated by members of the Ukrainian military and security forces.

We call on Ukrainian authorities to ensure freedom of expression and the safety of journalists. Furthermore, we welcome legal steps to address domestic violence.

President,

The Russian Federation and the self-proclaimed republics bear a heavy responsibility for the appalling human rights situation in the non-government controlled areas of Donbas.

We call on these parties to grant humanitarian and international organizations full and unobstructed access east of the contact line.

We encourage all parties to the conflict to cease and desist from targeting civilian infrastructure.

The human rights situation in Crimea has significantly deteriorated under Russian occupation, where Russia continues to deny access to international organisations and NGOs.

Only by bearing witness to the grave human rights situation that still prevails in Crimea, can we begin to improve it.

Finally, Norway would like to commend the UNOHCHR for its important work in documenting the human rights situation in Ukraine. 

Thank you.