By KYIV. Dec 20 (Interfax-Ukraine) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomes the adoption by the UN General Assembly by 78 votes of the updated resolution “The situation of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.”
“Unlike previous similar resolutions, this year’s document covers the human rights situation in all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which will ensure the increased attention of the UN and the international community to all crimes and gross violations committed by the Russian occupation authorities against the local population in these territories,” the Foreign Ministry said in a comment.
The ministry also stressed that the UN General Assembly has confirmed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders and the non-recognition of any changes in the status of Ukrainian territories, including the results of any so-called “elections.”
“We welcome the fact that the status of the territories of Ukraine temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as integral parts of the sovereign territory of Ukraine, remains the principled position of the General Assembly. Therefore, the UN General Assembly demands that the Russian Federation immediately cease aggression against Ukraine and withdraw all its armed forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders,” the Foreign Ministry said.
Thus, the resolution condemns Russia’s continued disregard for the norms of international human rights and international humanitarian law, illegal detention of civilian Ukrainian citizens, the use of torture, discrimination against residents of temporarily occupied territories.
In addition, the General Assembly calls on the Russian Federation to stop the deportation of Ukrainian children and provide information to relevant UN agencies and international organizations, including a list of all deported Ukrainian children, including those whose status has been changed, adopted or placed in the care of foster parents, as well as take all necessary measures for the safe return of these children.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, the UN General Assembly notes that the Russian Federation, as an occupying state, bears full responsibility for the catastrophic consequences for the economy, agricultural activities and ecology of the region caused by the undermining of the Kakhovska hydroelectric power plant in the occupied territory and condemns the failure of the Russian Federation to provide humanitarian access to the UN to help the affected population. The General Assembly also condemns the seizure of the Zaporizhia NPP, its personnel and the creation of constant risks and threats, primarily unprecedented nuclear and radiation danger to the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community, as well as targeted terrorist attacks by missiles and UAVs on civilian infrastructure.
In addition, the resolution states the inadmissibility of attacks on the Ukrainian civilian port infrastructure and grain terminals, and the ongoing blockade of Ukrainian ports.
The Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to the international community for Ukraine’s support in defending territorial integrity and sovereignty, human rights and fundamental freedoms, stressing that the return of respect for these principles will be the most effective way to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine and strengthen European and global security.
“The clear position of the UN member states that supported the resolution will help bring to justice all those involved in the commission of gross violations of human rights and war crimes and will prevent the recurrence of such crimes in the future,” the ministry said.
