Bulgaria supports the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate human rights violations in connection with the situation in Ukraine
07 March 2022 News
"The unjustified military attack on Ukraine is a gross violation of the international law and undermines world security," said Deputy Minister Velislava Petrova during an urgent debate on the human rights situation in Ukraine over Russia's aggression in the country. The emergency procedure was launched in the context of the 49th session of the Human Rights Council, which began on 28 February.
In her speech, Deputy Minister Petrova supported the urgent debate, given the severe consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on respect for human rights and the humanitarian situation in the country. She noted that the number of victims, including children, women and the elderly, was growing, as was the number of refugees, and called for humanitarian access to Ukraine not to be interrupted.
Last but not least, the Bulgarian Deputy Minister called on the Human Rights Council to remain committed to the issue, as well as to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate all violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law in the context of the military actions.
The emergency debate was convened at the request of Ukraine and was supported by all EU member states, including Bulgaria. More than 100 UN member states and nearly 30 non-governmental organizations took the floor in the debate.
At the end of the urgent debate, the member states of the Human Rights Council adopted the resolution tabled by Ukraine entitled "The human rights situation in Ukraine as a result of the aggression of the Russian Federation", which Bulgaria supported as one of the main co-authors, among others 68 countries. The results of the vote were: 32 votes “in favor”, 2 votes “against” (Russia, Eritrea) and 13 abstentions.