Ávarp í umræðum um mannréttindaástandið í Úkraínu

Thank you, Mr. President.

Iceland supports the High Commissioner and her office as well as special procedures mandate holders who report on the situation in Ukraine.

Iceland continues to have grave concerns about the human rights and the humanitarian situation in the conflict areas in Ukraine. The prolonged armed conflict continues to impact the civilian population hard economically, stalling social development and creating a hazardous environment for ordinary people.

The report of the monitoring mission also outlines a worrying trend of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, torture and ill-treatment in the so called DNR and LNR areas. Those responsible need to be held accountable.

The surge in civilian casualties further underlines the urgency of the full implementation of the Minsk agreements and of the measures agreed at the Normandy Summit last year.

Madam President,

Iceland reiterates its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders and call for the full respect of the rights of all residents of Crimea. We urge the Russian Federation, as the occupying power of Crimea, to grant OHCHR access to the peninsula.

I thank you.