Виголошена Постійним представником України при міжнародних організаціях у Відні І.Прокопчуком на засіданні Постійної ради ОБСЄ 27 жовтня 2016 року. 

Statement in response to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer 

As delivered by the Delegation of Ukraine

to the 1116th meeting of the Permanent Council,

27 October 2016

 

Mr. Chairman,

We join previous speakers in warmly welcoming the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, H.E. Mr. Peter Maurer at the meeting of the Permanent Council and thank him for the presentation.

We view the dedicated work of the ICRC on ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of armed conflict and on promoting respect for international humanitarian law as a significant contribution to the protection of human dignity, human rights and fundamental freedoms – areas that are at the core of the OSCE concept of comprehensive security.

More than two years of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine have led to the deprivation of the population in the occupied territories of Donbas of basic protection, human rights and freedoms.

The humanitarian and economic situation in the occupied areas of Donbas remains a matter of deep concern. Equipment of numerous profitable industrial facilities has been dismantled, including for relocation to Russia. People live in areas cut off from basic services. Thousands of houses need to be repaired or reconstructed while many vital installations and facilities for water, gas or electricity need to be rehabilitated.

We highly value the support provided by the ICRC, as an independent and neutral humanitarian organization, to assist and protect the people in Ukraine affected by the on-going military aggression from a neighbouring State. This support includes relief assistance, facilitating access to medical care and other essential services, seeking access to all persons deprived of liberty.

We note, in particular, that according to the ICRC data, from January to June 2016 over 4,300 metric tons of humanitarian aid were delivered to people in the con­flict-affected areas; over 360,000 people benefited from ICRC assistance to rehabilitate damaged water infrastructure in Donetsk oblast; over 19,000 people benefited from ICRC distribution of construction and roofing materials and tools; 74 health facilities received different medical consumables; 2,444 mine signs were installed along the contact line.

The ICRC is one of few international organizations that can operate in the occupied areas.

We recall in this connection the agreement of the Normandy Ministerial in March that all restrictions on operation of the international humanitarian organizations in the occupied part of Donbas must be lifted and the ICRC must have access to hostages and illegally detained persons, which has not happened after many months.

We see a great need in continuous focused efforts to lift all restrictions, imposed by Russia and its proxies, on operation of the international humanitarian organizations in the occupied part of Donbas.

We remain deeply alarmed that the release of hostages and illegally detained persons remains blocked by Russia in violation of the Minsk agreements.

There is an urgent need in seeking immediate solutions to this unacceptable situation, which endangers the lives of hostages, as well as in ensuring access for the International Committee of the Red Cross to the places of their detention in certain areas of Donbas under the de facto control of the combined Russian-separatist forces. Other Ukrainian hostages remain in captivity on the Russian territory.

The destiny and condition of many hostages remain unknown. We encourage the active ICRC involvement to facilitate the search of missing persons.

We also call on the International Committee of the Red Cross to take measures to gain access to the Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in Crimea, which remains under illegal occupation of the Russian Federation. Until now the Russian occupying authorities have failed to exercise their responsibilities under international law, which resulted in systemic repressive policies against Crimean Tatars, Ukrainians and other ethnic communities. 

We emphasise that the population in the occupied areas of Donbas must not be treated as hostages and urge implementation of the agreed steps. We again call on Russia to speed up the release on the basis of “all-for-all” principle and underline that the relevant provision of the Minsk Package of measures applies equally to the Ukrainian citizens, who are held in illegal detention in Russia.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.