Yelchenko comments on updated draft resolution on human rights situation in Crimea

Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Volodymyr Yelchenko said this in an exclusive commentary to Ukrinform.

"If compared to the resolution on the Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol (Ukraine), approved by the UN General Assembly in December last year, the new document contains a number of new requirements for the Russian Federation aimed at ensuring compliance with its international obligations in the context of promotion of de-occupation of the Ukrainian peninsula," the Head of the Ukrainian Permanent Mission to the UN said.

First, according to him, the resolution confirms there is an international armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This provision is "particularly important in the context of leveling Russia's arguments there is allegedly an internal conflict in our country."

Second, the document "condemns the retroactive application of Russia's own laws in the occupied territory" as well as the fact that Ukrainian citizens living in Crimea are forced to gain Russian citizenship. The draft resolution also recognizes Russia's lack of jurisdiction on the peninsula, which "makes its decisions and laws in Crimea insignificant."

Third, the draft resolution demands that Russia should implement an interim decision of the International Court of Justice on restoring the rights and freedoms of citizens of Ukraine on the peninsula.

In addition, according to the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN, the document contains a request to the UN Secretary-General to coordinate the actions of the UN bodies with a view to implementing the provisions of this resolution.

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