💬 Director of the Russian MFA Department for Multilateral Human Rights Cooperation Grigory Lukyantsev:

On October 7, the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council (#HRC) concluded in Geneva.

Over four and a half weeks, the Russian delegation, participating as an observer, actively promoted our approaches to the human rights agenda, advocated constructive dialogue and opposed the politicisation of the Council’s work.

A highlight was the Joint Statement initiated by Russia on behalf of 11 countries to mark this year’s 60th anniversary of the adoption of the International Covenants on Human Rights.

⚠️ The Session once again demonstrated the HRC’s continued degradation at the hands of a familiar group of Western countries and its transformation into an instrument for pressuring “unwelcome” states that dare to pursue independent domestic and foreign policies.

Russia’s firm footing and continued prominence on the international stage remain a source of frustration for certain “beacons of democracy”, which seek to harm our country by any means available.

At the 63rd Session, Western countries focused on pushing through an anti-Russian resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia. The EU initiative was overtly anti-Russian and bore no relation to reality. 👉 As a result, a majority of HRC members – 26 countries – did not support it.

In their desire to punish Russia, our opponents did not hesitate to misuse the HRC’s agenda. Once again, the Council adopted a resolution on technical assistance to Georgia aimed at advancing territorial claims to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

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Against this backdrop, the events organised by the Russian delegation during the Session met a clear need for reliable information about the situation in Russia and in the special military operation zone.

• Rodion Miroshnik, Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry for #KievRegimeCrimes drew considerable attention in Geneva with his statements at the Session. He also held a dedicated side event and a briefing for foreign and Russian media, presenting photographic and video evidence of Kiev’s violations of its obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

• Mikhail Melekh, Russian Foreign Minister's Special Representative for International Cooperation in Ensuring the Right to Freedom of Religion, drew the HRC’s attention to numerous violations of the rights of believers in Ukraine and presented a report on Kiev’s persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

• Georgy Muradov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea, in his address to the Session, spoke about manifestations of racism by the Kiev regime against the people of Crimea.

• A representative of Russia’s Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova briefed the Council on Russophobia directed at independent national human rights institutions. The Commissioner’s Office was wrongfully stripped of its “A” accreditation status on political grounds, depriving it of the ability to participate independently in international human rights forums.

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#HRC63 #UNCharterIsOurRules