Interactive Dialogue on HC oral presentation on Ukraine and interim report of SG on human rights in Crimea
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
Human Rights Council 47th Session
July 9, 2021
Delivered by Patrick Elliot, Human Rights Officer
The United States welcomes the work of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Ukraine and Ukraine’s continued cooperation with OHCHR. We fully support OHCHR’s sustained attention to administration of justice, promotion of rule of law reforms, and the need for greater accountability for attacks on anti-corruption activists, journalists, LGBTQI+ persons, and Roma.
We thank OHCHR for documenting Russia’s appalling abuses in Crimea and the Donbas. The United States condemns Russia’s illegal seizure of Crimea and its pervasive human rights abuses there, including politically motivated arrests and detentions; widespread reports of abuse of detainees; and the use of torture to extract false confessions. In Russia-controlled areas of the Donbas, we are deeply troubled by reports of arbitrary and incommunicado detention, and torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
We welcome Ukraine’s launch of an international Crimea Platform to highlight Russia’s abuses and coordinate efforts to end the occupation.
What further steps can the international community take to promote accountability for Russia’s egregious abuses in Crimea? Thank you.