STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 48th Session
Item 10: ID on HC Oral Update on Ukraine
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway
Check against delivery
5 October 2021
Madam President,
Norway thanks the High Commissioner for her report and re-iterates its support to the Human Rights Monitoring Mission. We urge all parties to follow up the recommendations in this and previous reports.
Attacks against human rights defenders, including, women, media workers and political actors, continue to take place. We urge Ukrainian authorities to speed up investigation and prosecution of all such cases.
In the areas not controlled by the government the human rights situation is alarming.
In Crimea residents continue to be denied freedom of religion or belief, freedom of assembly and the right to a fair trial. Allegations of torture are not investigated. Norway calls on the Russian Federation, as the occupying power, to ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
In non-government-controlled areas in Donetsk and Luhansk there are reports of mandatory recruitment of men for military training. Ukrainian citizens are forced to take Russian citizenship. Detainees are held in arbitrary detention without access to family or lawyers. The armed formations must put an end to these violations of international law.
Does the High Commissioner have more information on freedom of religion in these areas?
Thank you, Madam President.