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5 July 2022, 50th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item10: Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner’s oral presentation on Ukraine and Interim Report of Secretary General on the situation of human rights in Crimea Statement delivered by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Darius Staniulis

Thank you, Mr. President.

Lithuania fully aligns itself with the EU statement.

We thank the High Commissioner and the UN Human Right Monitoring Mission in Ukraine for the reports and immense efforts to reflect the real human rights situation on the ground during these critical times.

Russia’s armed forces continuously attack Ukrainian cities. They intentionally target, torture, rape, and kill thousands of civilians, including children. Kremenscuk, Lysychansk, Dnipro, Odesa are the most recent instances. We strongly condemn Russian war crimes and all violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. All atrocities and violations must be investigated. Full accountability must be ensured.

According to the report, Russia’s repressions in the Crimean Peninsula have intensified. We are gravely concerned about the arbitrary detentions and arrests, instances of disappearances, torture, persecutions of Crimean Tatars and discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion and beliefs.

We call on Russia to ensure unimpeded access to Crimea and other conflict-affected areas of Ukraine, and to cooperate with human rights treaty bodies, mechanisms and international institutions.

Lithuania stands resolute in supporting Ukraine‘s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Madam High Commissioner, how the human rights for Crimean Tatars could be ensured and their cultural heritage preserved?

I thank you.