Oleksandr Korniienko: Restoring justice is not just a condition for ending the war, but a need for all Ukrainian citizens
07 December 2023, 15:30
Oleksandr Korniienko, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, stressed this during the opening of the Freedom or Fear International Conference, calling on the international community to become active participants in restoring justice for children, the military and the families of the victims.
"This conference is dedicated to an important day – the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. And these days we realise that every word and provision of the Declaration is being put to a very serious test in Ukraine by the phenomenon that always tests human rights – the war," he said.
At the same time, Oleksandr Korniienko noted that this is a good opportunity to draw certain conclusions about what humanity has achieved over these 75 years and what stands in the way of moving on and checking our daily lives against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"How could it be that on the 73rd anniversary of the Declaration, a nuclear power, a member of the UN Security Council, treacherously and unprovoked attacked a neighbouring independent country, and before that, annexed a part of a sovereign state? How could it be that over the past two years, Ukrainian and international prosecutors have simply run out of paper to record all the crimes committed by the russian federation on our territory," the First Vice Speaker emphasised in his speech.
He emphasised that everything the aggressor is doing in Ukraine now is the biggest human rights violation that could be observed in recent times: "It is very important, when holding events like today, to speak honestly and frankly, to call a spade a spade: war crimes, crimes against civilians, manifestations of genocide – the deportation of Ukrainian children."
"Everyone in Ukraine wants justice, especially the soldiers at the front and their families. We continue to work to keep the issue of establishing a special tribunal for russia's war crimes against Ukraine in the spotlight and to find a mechanism to implement it," said Oleksandr Korniienko, adding that the discussion is ongoing and Ukraine hopes that it will end in a positive way for our country – the tribunal will be established.
"It would be very unfair and inconsistent with the Declaration if there was such a tribunal as a result of some wars and major genocides, but not as a result of Ukrainian history. This is one of the tasks before our honourable assembly today," the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine stressed.
In conclusion, the First Vice Speaker called on the international community to act as active participants in the processes of restoring justice and security in the region, as well as around the world, and to implement all the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which should work more effectively in its 75th year of existence.
He expressed his gratitude to all the partners who help us hold such events: "Of course, words of gratitude and respect to all Ukrainian soldiers who are doing everything on the frontline today so that we can work here to discuss how to unite our efforts to bring the Declaration back to life for every Ukrainian, for all people in the world."
For reference. The event was organised by the Ombudsperson's Office in cooperation with the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.