Mr Chairman,

We have carefully studied the statement by the High Commissioner and would like to stress that we are also concerned about the situation in Ukraine. As noted in reports by the UN Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, the freedom ofexpression and assembly is still limited in the country, and there are numerous instances of intimidation, torture and abductions by Ukrainian security and law enforcement services. Many of the crimes, in particular the Odessa tragedy, are  in fact not being investigated.

The humanitarian situation in the conflict zone remains difficult and is only worsening as the winter approaches. Despite the appeals from international organisations, Kiev has not abandoned its disastrous approach of the economic blockade of Donbass, which is hurting the vulnerable sections demographics of the population most of all. The blockade impedes the operation of humanitarian organisations and the delivery of aid to civilians.

We are confident that the only way to resolve the conflict in southeastern Ukraine and provide conditions for the observance of human rights in the country is the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements by all parties.

We are also extremely concerned about the worsening situation in the Middle East and North Africa. The region is slipping into chaos. Meanwhile, it is obvious that the terrorism there is the primary danger to human rights.

Cooperation in rectifying the security situation and eliminating the threat of international terrorism is key to the resolution of humanitarian problems in the region. This is the essence of President Vladimir Putin's initiative regarding the formation of a broad coalition to counter terrorism through interaction among the states concerned. We are confident that if the world community follows through on this initiative the degradation of the human rights situation in the region can be stopped and eventually reversed.

At the same time, it is essential to step up the efforts to resolve the conflict in Syria based on the Geneva Communique and abandon the attempts to use human rights and the Human Rights Council as tools of pressure on the legitimate government, whose armed forces are on the front lines in the fight against international terrorism.

Nor can we remain on the sidelines regarding the humanitarian catastrophe caused by the flow of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa to the European continent. The causes of the migration crisis are obvious. It is the result of irresponsible and ill-conceived interference in the internal affairs of states, aimed at the forcible change of uncooperative governments in the region. We have repeatedly warned about this, noting that this would lead to chaos and a reign of terror, and as a result, to human suffering and death. This is precisely what has happened. Importantly, people are running away not from dictatorial regimes but from terrorist groups that are committing atrocious crimes in the region.

As a result, we are faced with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis with global consequences for human rights. The behaviour of some EU member countries, which, despite their declared commitment to human rights and humanitarian obligations, are building protective barriers and walls and keeping refugees under inhuman conditions, defies reasonable explanation.

We hope that the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights will pay due attention to the refugee situation in Europe.

Thank you.