|
|
Statement by H.E. Mr. Volodymyr Yel'chenko, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine at the high level segment of the 59th Session of the Commission on Human RightsGeneva, March 17, 2003 |
Madam Chairperson,
Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset I would like to congratulate you, Madam Chairperson, and other members of the Bureau upon your election and to wish you every success.
Taking this opportunity, I would also like to congratulate Dr. de Mello whom I have a privilege to know for years on his appointment as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
It is well known that the key role in the international system of protection of human rights belongs to the Commission on Human Rights. Ukraine strongly believes that the way the Commission deals with human rights is a crucial indicator of the functioning of the UN in this domain.
Having become a member of the Commission for the second time since independence in 1991, Ukraine pays particular attention to the effectiveness of this unique human rights forum.
Ukraine views its election to the Commission for a new term as a great responsibility to promote, protect, and advance human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Madam Chairperson,
It has become a sad tradition in recent years that the work of our Commission starts in the shadow of tragic events, war or the threat of war, the cause of mass and brutal violations of basic human rights. The September 11 and other terrorist attacks that targeted the values enshrined in the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have demonstrated that international terrorism is the most terrible challenge for the human society today.
Ukraine unequivocally condemns international terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. With the entering into force for Ukraine of the International Convention for the Suppression of Financing of Terrorism last January, my country has become a party to all universal conventions and protocols on international terrorism.
We would like to stress the need to consolidate the efforts in preventing and counteracting terrorism. On the other hand, all states should ensure that any measure taken to combat terrorism complies with their obligation under international law, in particular international humanitarian law. In this regard we support consideration by the current session of the resolution on Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms While Countering Terrorism.
Distinguished delegates,
This year my country and the world community will mark a sad anniversary - 70 years of the Great famine in Ukraine. The induced famine of 1932-1933 was the act of genocide against the Ukrainian people that took lives of more than 7 million Ukrainians. Organized by the totalitarian Soviet regime in 1932-1933 and aimed at suppressing people in the regions that were in opposition to forced collectivization, it was one of the most tragic events in our modern history.
The fact of induced famine in Ukraine was carefully concealed at that time. Elaborate steps had been taken to deny its existence or diminish its consequences up till Ukraine's Independence. Still, much remains to be done to increase the global awareness of that event.
At that time the world failed to respond to that tragedy. Today we are obliged to honour the memory of its victims in order to be able to respond to other acts of genocide ever in the future.
We highly value the entry into force of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. In this regard my delegation welcomes the inauguration on March 11 of the ICC - the international judicial institution, designed to protect and strengthen the principle of the rule of law, to eliminate impunity and to provide accountability for the commission of such serious criminal acts as aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity, and military crimes.
Madam Chairperson,
There has been a substantially increased understanding of the role of national institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights. The introduction of a national protection system in each country should, therefore, be a principal objective of the United Nations. We highly appreciate the work done by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and support the proposals by the Secretary-General aimed at strengthening human rights related UN activities at the country level.
Recognizing that the primary responsibility for the full enjoyment of human rights and freedoms lies on the states, Ukraine does its utmost to ensure proper implementation of the principles of the rule of law, to create the conditions for economic growth and efficient functioning of the democratic institutions. This policy is an integral part of our course towards European and Euro Atlantic integration.
As a party to the Optional Protocol 6 to the European Convention on Human Rights, Ukraine has already abolished death penalty. Recently the Parliament of Ukraine ratified Protocol 13 to the European Convention on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms regarding the abolishment of capital punishment under any circumstances.
We are also committed to fight torture - one of the most shameful and disgraceful forms of violation of human rights which destroys a person both physically and mentally. Ukraine is a strong proponent of measures to prevent and prohibit tortures.
Ukraine stands out in favour of protecting the rights of people whose physical conditions do not allow them to fully enjoy all opportunities of life because of disabilities. Last December the President of Ukraine issued a Decree "On Additional Measures to Strengthen Social Protection of Disabled People" according to which the year 2003 was proclaimed the Year of people with disabilities in Ukraine.
Distinguished delegates,
As far as it concerns gender perspective, there is much to be done in a number of areas, such as the increase of women's participation at high levels of decision-making, ensuring equal opportunities at the labour market, improving reproductive health, fighting the growing spread of HIV/AIDS among women, prevention of violence and women trafficking.
We must ensure proper protection of the rights of children. Care for the young generation is a matter of special attention in Ukraine. A number of comprehensive national programmes aimed at ensuring legal and social protection of children and at creating conditions for their comprehensive development are being steadily implemented in Ukraine. We are particularly concerned about the children's health in the context of the consequences of the Chornobyl tragedy, as almost two million children in Ukraine have become victims of the world's worst nuclear disaster.
We strongly condemn the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. Ukraine supports the strengthening of activities aimed at uprooting these shameful phenomena.
Madam Chairperson,
We commend the efforts by the High Commissioner to promote and coordinate human rights activities throughout the United Nations system. To a great extent, the effectiveness of these activities will depend upon the outcome of the restructuring of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights. We hope that the measures proposed by the High Commissioner will contribute to the adjustment of the existing UN human rights mechanisms to the present and future needs of the international community.
It is well known that the share allocated to Human Rights in the regular budget is only 1,54 % which makes only 30 % of the Office of High Commissioner needs. We do believe that human rights issues, as a priority of the UN, require more financial support to ensure the realization of all necessary reforms with regard to further strengthening and promotion of human rights.
We cannot expect voluntary contributions to cover 70 % of the needs of Office of High Commissioner in this field. In this regard states should allow a larger share of the UN regular budget to be allocated for human rights.
In conclusion, Madam Chairperson, I wish to stress once again my country's commitment to adhere to the principles of promotion and protection of human rights both at international and national levels, and to wish this session every success.
Looking forward to the new changes, we hope that we shall be guided by our wisdom, which would allow us to avoid dramatic scenarios and protect the rights of every inhabitant of the planet, every new child who is coming to this world at the minutes of our debate.
Thank you.
|
Consulate General of Ukraine in Toronto |
|
E-Mail us
