On October 10, 2018 the UNESCO Executive Board at its 205th session in Paris adopted the decision “Follow-up of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Ukraine)”. This is the tenth decision since the attempt of the illegal occupation of the peninsula by Russia. The decision facilitates the enhancement of the monitoring of the situation in the occupied Crimea within UNESCO’s fields of competence.

The UNESCO Director General latest report made public before the session served as a basis for the Board’s decision. The report highlights brutal violations by the occupation power of freedom of expression and mass-media, oppression of cultural and educational rights of Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars, the facts of destroying cultural heritage properties, in particular the Khan's Palace in Bakhchysarai, inscribed into the World Heritage Tentative List, the facts of illegal archeological excavations etc.

Welcoming the decision, the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to UNESCO Oleh Shamshur stressed the importance of introducing the direct monitoring by UNESCO of the situation in Crimea, aimed to stop Russia’s ignorance of principles and norms of international law within UNESCO’s fields of competence.

The delegations of the EU and the USA welcomed the adoption of the decision, reiterated the unchanged support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, the non-recognition of the attempt of the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia.