On September 24, 2019, the UN Human Rights Council held at its 42^nd session an Interactive dialogue on Ukraine. 40 speakers took part in the discussion, including delegations from thirty countries and ten international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The dialogue focused on the 27^th OHCHR Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine covering the period 16 May to 15 August 2019, which was presented by Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Kate Gilmore.

In his statement, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya drew the attention of the delegates to numerous human rights violations committed by the Russian occupation authorities in the Ukrainian Crimea as well as in the Russia-occupied areas of Donbas. In this connection, he commended the activities of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission deployed in Ukraine since 2014, at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine. Sergiy Kyslytsya particularly highlighted the Missions’ contribution to the preparation of a recent report of the UN Secretary General on the human rights situation in the occupied Crimea. The report will soon be discussed in the framework of the 74^th session of the UN General Assembly.

The Deputy Minister called upon the Russian Federation to implement the recommendations of the UN Secretary General report, as well as to comply with international law in the occupied territories. Sergiy Kyslytsya particularly criticized Kremlin’s attempts to delude the international community and substitute the issue of de-occupation of Crimea with hybrid, thoroughly false concepts which have nothing to do with international law. He also underscored the importance of keeping a close eye on occupier’s emissaries masquerading themselves as “representatives of Crimea”.

Mr Kyslytsya expressed gratitude to cosponsors and supporters of HRC resolution 41/25, which provides for continuation of Interactive Dialogues on Ukraine for the next two years. The question of external aggression against Ukraine must remain on the agenda of the UN Human Rights Council, as well as other international institutions until the Ukrainian territories are fully de-occupied.