Statement by representative of the Russian Federation Roman Kashaev in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session
Madam Chairperson,
This year has proved to be a tough one for all of us. The international community has faced a fundamentally new challenge – the coronavirus pandemic. The disease has affected millions of people and claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Of particular note is its negative impact on the socio-economic situation of each and every country. Experts are yet to assess the magnitude of the economic crisis and its long-term consequences, however, it is already evident that the global economic recovery will require time and effort, while it is 10 years left to meet the established target – to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
Madam Chair,
In current circumstances, we still believe that only progressive work in the field of social development to eradicate poverty, ensure full employment and decent work for all, and promote social integration will further facilitate successful implementation of the decisions of the World Summit for Social Development and of the 24th Special Session of the UN General Assembly, and will contribute significantly to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are convinced that the key role in achieving these goals within the UN system is played by the United Nations Commission for Social Development, which is responsible for elaborating concerted decisions on such issues as ensuring equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, supporting older persons, advancing youth and strengthening the role of the traditional family. We are against any steps aimed at curtailment of the Commission.
Madam Chair,
Despite the rapid spread of the new virus, Russia has managed to avoid a surge in unemployment owing to targeted measures taken by the Government to support the economy. Before the pandemic, the unemployment rate was 4.7 % of the labour force, currently it is 6.4 %. With a view to helping those citizens who lost jobs it was decided to increase unemployment benefits to the minimum subsistence level. This measure has not only provided financial support to the people who lost their jobs, but also has prevented excessive rise of the poverty level.
Madam Chair,
Given the current worldwide economic slowdown, Russia discharges all its social obligations to its people in full. Since January 1st, 2020, the minimum wage has reached the minimum subsistence level. Also, since January 1st, 2020, 31 mln unemployed retired persons have received a pension bonus of 6.6 %. Since February 1st, 2020, monthly payments to all persons in the preferential category, including disabled persons, have been increased by around 4 %.
Even now, in times of austerity due to COVID‑19, the Russian Federation managed to realize the previously scheduled indexing of salaries of all public employees by 4.3 % from October 1st, 2020. Besides, employees of social institutions, including doctors and teachers, during the pandemic were receiving additional allowances to their salaries.
Madam Chair,
During the pandemic, advanced digital technology helped to transform rapidly the education and work systems and the services sector, organize e-learning and online courses for people of various ages. With a view to protect the population from the new virus most of public services in Russia have been converted to electronic format excluding physical presence of citizens.
Since the introduction of the quarantine and self-isolation regime in March 2020, over 652 thousands of Russians have benefited from the simplified procedure for establishing disability status, which allows to prolong the earlier established disability status for six months or to establish disability for the first time without visiting specialized institutions. Besides, applications to provide disabled persons with means of rehabilitation are also submitted via Internet. In the first six months of 2020, over 180 thousands of technical means of rehabilitation were provided to disabled persons. It is 1.5 times more than in the same period in 2019.
Madam Chair,
In the Russian Federation, state support for the youth focused on recruitment and sustainable employment is based on the key provisions of the World Programme of Action for Youth. Special e-platform «Work in Russia» was developed to increase the young professionals employment rate. Applicants entering the labour market for the first time have access to over 940 thousand jobs.
Madam Chair,
One of the priorities of the Government’s work is care for senior citizens. Of particular note is the activity of youth volunteer movements providing possible assistance to older persons that have to stay indoors during the pandemic. Volunteers help deliver food and medicines and pay for utilities, and provide psychological assistance.
Madam Chair,
The Russian Federation gives particular importance to promoting traditional family values and protecting the family. Under the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 3rd, 2020, amendments concerning such issues, as family protection, strengthening of the institution of marriage and care for children, including those left without parental care, were made to the Russian Constitution.
Madam Chair,
In conclusion, we would like to once again attract attention to the discrimination policy against the Russian language in the Baltic countries and Ukraine. We believe that restriction of the right to education and use of the mother tongue is inadmissible.
Agenda item 28 “Advancement of women”
Madam Chair,
In the time of the coronavirus pandemic that has befallen the world, the importance of commitment to the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is of particular relevance. In this regard, we cannot agree with those who, instead of optimizing and adapting the principles of their work to current crisis conditions, are trying to devalue achievements in elimination of gender inequality.
The importance of the women’s empowerment is illustrated by the high political level of participation in the high-level meeting of the current session of the General Assembly, on October 1st, 2020, which was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The global review (so called the Beijing+25 review process) to mark this jubilee has shown tangible progress in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in the previous period. Such outcome would have been hard to reach without coordination of the work by the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which proved in practice its key role as an intergovernmental body of the UN system for the entire set of issues concerning the status of women.
The Commission's work cannot be successful without technical assistance from the UN Women, which marked its 10th anniversary this year. We support this structure's constructive approach to the implementation of its mandate, an objective of which is to subsidiary support intergovernmental bodies of the UN system in their work on issues concerning the status of women. We believe the imperative for its effective functioning is strict implementation of activities upon request and with consent of States concerned.
In our view, higher coordination between the overall policy guidance provided by the CSW and operational strategies adopted by the Executive Board of the UN Women would make the UN work in promoting the agenda on gender equality more successful. We would also like to recall the understanding set out in UN GA resolution 74/306 of the importance of strengthened multilateral cooperation in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in accordance with the UN Charter and under the auspices of the World Health Organization.
Madam Chair,
For our part, we can reassure you that despite challenges of the fight against the pandemic our country remains committed to its international obligations regarding advancement of women. Currently, the Plan of Action to give effect to the 2nd phase (2019-2022) of the National Strategy for Women 2017‑2022 is being carried out. As part of reporting on the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, in July 2020, the Russian Federation submitted its Voluntary National Review on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, which included, in particular, detailed information on progress in achieving SDG 5.
As a core event of its Presidency in the UN Security Council in October 2020, the Russian Federation plans to hold open debates on the theme «Women, Peace and Security» dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the adoption of UN SC resolution 1325 (2000). Consideration of the 9th periodic report of the Russian Federation on the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is scheduled for February 2021 during the 78th session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
Using this opportunity, I would like to inform you that on 22-24 September 2021 Saint-Petersburg will host the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum, which has already proved its significance as a credible international platform for discussing the women’s agenda.
Agenda item 63 “Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions”
Madam Chair,
The Russian Federation believes that coordination of actions of all States is required for overcoming the consequences of migration crises, which affected certain countries and entire regions of the world. It is necessary to develop multilateral cooperation in this sphere with the UN playing the central coordinating role in order to effectively resolve problems caused by mass displacement of large groups of refugees and migrants.
In our view, approaches to addressing migrant challenges, including promotion and protection of refugee rights, cannot contradict basic principles of humaneness, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and measures taken must not violate the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States and be realized without the consent of the countries on whose territory they are implemented.
We are convinced that the most effective solution to the forced migrants problem is elimination of underlying reasons that force people to leave their homeland. We believe that a successful solution is political settlement in migrants’ States and provision of assistance to them in socio-economic development, nation-building and counterterrorism.
Madam Chair,
The Russian Federation makes an important contribution to strengthening the international refugee protection regime and addressing migration issues, which is reflected in significant humanitarian activity in many countries and regions of the world, and political efforts to prevent and overcome crises. Annually, our country voluntarily allocates USD 2 mln to the budget of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
We commend the role of the UNHCR in increasing the effectiveness of the international protection of refugees and other categories of persons of concern. We deem the activity of the Office particular important in major humanitarian crises and a significant element of comprehensive measures to resolve such crises.
We note the UNHCR efforts with regard to Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Russian Federation takes an active part in financing UNHCR humanitarian operations to provide assistance to Syrians. In 2020, USD 800,000 from Russia's annual donor contribution were allocated to the UNHCR programmes for refugees and IDPs from Syria. Our country's initiative on facilitation of voluntary repatriation of Syrian forced migrants, implementation of which requires international support, remains relevant. We expect the world community to follow the non-politicized approach to this issue.
We commend and support, including financially, the UNHCR activity to overcome humanitarian consequences of the inter-Ukrainian crisis.
We deem it necessary that the UNHCR give special attention to stateless persons, including in Europe.
In the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic, we welcome the UNHCR focus on development of close cooperation with governments to include refugees and migrants in national programmes on fight against the infection. Our country supports, including financially, the UNHCR efforts to contain the spread of the disease, which, in particular, include increased humanitarian supplies to the countries lacking medicines, and measures to improve water and sanitation systems in refugee camps, hospitals, schools and other social institutions.
The Russian Federation supported the adoption of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) aimed to significantly contribute to strengthening the international refugee protection regime. Our country took an active part in the first meeting of the Global Refugee Forum. We expect this platform to help attract attention of the world community to the refugee issues and build up efforts to implement the GCR.
Madam Chair,
We observe the relevance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). We note the strengthening of the constructive cooperation between the UN and the IOM. We expect it to contribute to enhancing both of their capacities in the interests of successful response of the world community to emerging migration challenges.
In our view, migration is not only a pressing challenge but an important driver of socio-economic development. We note that the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda particularly covers migration, contains relevant targets and recognizes the positive contribution of migrants to economic growth and sustainable development.
We believe that the key objective in the field of migration in the context of development should be search for mechanisms of optimization and control over migration processes for their greater positive contribution in the socio-economic sphere taking into account national interests and priorities.
We commend the activity of the Global Forum on Migration and Development as an important platform for informal discussion of migration issues in connection with development goals and objectives.
We attach great importance to strengthening international migration cooperation. Russia supported the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration. We note that a number of provisions of the Concept of the State Migration Policy of the Russian Federation correlate with the principles and objectives of the Treaty. Our country took an active part in consultations to work out modalities of the forthcoming first International Migration Review Forum to be held in 2022 and every four years thereafter.
Agenda item 67 “Report of the Human Rights Council”
Madam Chair,
We are seriously concerned about the increased practice of overt use by Western countries of the UN Human Rights Council as an instrument to replace undesirable governments. Earlier, such attempts to interfere in the internal affairs were discreet, under cover of these or those human rights issues, but now we witness the open use of the Council to overthrow national leadership. Generally nowadays it is carried out by means of election issues during elections at various levels. The approach is simple: if elections are won by those who are undesirable for the West, either a political party in elections to municipal structures or federal parliament, or a particular candidate in presidential elections – such elections are declared «impure» and their outcomes – invalid. As a result, some members of the Council achieve, via voting, decisions that assess the lawfulness of national authorities. It is evident that such steps are a clear interference in the internal affairs of States and a flagrant violation of not only the UN GA resolution 60/251 establishing the HRC and Council's institution-building resolutions 5/1 and 5/2, but also of the UN Charter and the foundations of international law, including the Bill of Human Rights.
Madam Chair,
We cannot neglect the certain role of the HRC President in increased politicization and intrusiveness of the Council’s work. Recently, the exclusively technical mandate of the President provided by the HRC resolution 5/1 has been actively used by diplomats appointed to this post in political purposes of their States or a separate group of States. We deem such development inadmissible. To prevent in the future similar attempts to transform the post of the HRC President into a political mechanism, we propose to consider introduction of a procedure for the President to make an oath of some kind on the threshold of taking the office containing a promise to follow in his or her work the principles of objectivity and impartiality to ensure effective and constructive work of the Council.
At the time, the Russian Federation welcomed the transformation of the UN Commission on Human Rights into the UN Human Rights Council. We expected the new body to become a platform for an equal and honest dialogue, and mechanism for providing assistance in implementation by countries of human rights obligations to their citizens. Today, unfortunately, the Council is a tool for Western countries to achieve their time-serving political and economic objectives. In the Council's agenda human rights are replaced by political issues. The HRC reputation is increasingly being tested. It is evident that if such a trend will not be stopped, soon the Council will completely lose the trust of those suffering human rights violations.
Agenda item 68 “Promotion and protection of the rights of children”
Madam Chair,
The unremitting COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of millions of children worldwide. Closure of kindergartens and schools and tough measures to contain the virus spread led to children being virtually temporarily locked up at home. Parents have had hard times as well; part of them started working from home during the pandemic. Families where parents have to go to work as usual despite the quarantine have found themselves in a more difficult situation.
In these conditions, the importance of the Convention on the Rights of the Child should not be underestimated. The Convention proclaimed, in particular, the need for a family environment for full and harmonious development of the personality of the child and for the best interests of the child. Although this international treaty has not yet become universal in its scope, its provisions are determining in rendering assistance to and protecting the most vulnerable category of population, including in the face of modern challenges.
Madam Chair,
The Russian Federation is committed to strict compliance with its international legal obligations concerning the protection of the rights of the child and focused at practical implementation of the principles set out in the outcome document of the 27th Special Session of the UN GA «A world fit for children». An illustration of the fact that in Russia care for children is not a mere statement but a part of the systemic well-considered socially-oriented domestic policy is the Decade of Childhood. This year concludes the first stage, i.e. the Plan of Action until 2020. At present, the Decade of Childhood Coordination Council of the Government of the Russian Federation is developing a draft plan of events for the period of 2021-2027. This document was also submitted for public consultation, for example, hearings in the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation were broadcasted online.
Madam Chair,
Social policy for children is constantly being improved. Recent measures include: payment of maternity capital for the first child born after January 1st, 2020 (earlier, such payment was provided only after the birth of the second child); increased maternity capital for families with two children born after January 1st, 2020 ; opportunity for mortgage repayment for families with the third child born; and allowance for one child for low-income families. Besides, it was decided to provide all primary school students with free hot meals.
During the pandemic, parents of over 25 mln children received additional support, i.e. allowances for children under 3 years of age and single payment for 3-to-16-year-old children.
We would like to highlight the amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation adopted under the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of July 3rd, 2020. They include articles aimed at protecting childhood, motherhood and fatherhood, as well as the right of the child to appropriate family upbringing and comprehensive development. Changes to the Constitution will contribute not only to the harmonious development of the child but will also help foster in young citizens love for their homeland and respect for the elders. As for the institution of the family, the amendments support traditional family values – marriage as a union of a man and a woman, children’s respect for the elders, and care of several generations of the family for each other.
Agenda item 69 “Rights of indigenous peoples”
Madam Chair,
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has revealed continued structural inequality and discrimination of indigenous peoples in certain regions of the globe. With no adequate access to basic healthcare services and facing social and economic marginalization, indigenous peoples in certain parts of the world found themselves in a vulnerable position compared to other population groups.
In this respect, we believe that the collection of information by United Nations human rights mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, and analysis of the impact of this health emergency on indigenous peoples, as well as of measures taken by States appropriate to the scale of the current crisis, are of great importance.
Madam Chair,
In view of the current situation, our country has paid special attention to the situation of small indigenous peoples who live in remote or inaccessible locations, or are nomadic or semi-nomadic, and taken significant efforts to provide medical, social, and other assistance. Two-way communication has been established, including payphones, mobile and satellite telephones, two‑way radios, and the Internet. Air medical service teams have been established for urgent cases. Adopted region-specific support measures include lump sum payments, tax and lease payments deferral; soft loan programs have been expanded. Food and essential commodities, including fuel and ammunition used for traditional economic activities, have been provided to remote and inaccessible settlements. Proper education has been provided in all regions, taking into account specific traits of educational institutions. For example, where no electronic resources were available for the provision of distance learning, other formats were used, including handouts, text messages, or visits by teachers.
In general, healthcare is provided in accordance with federal legislation and regional programs of free medical assistance for citizens, as well as approved procedure and standards for providing medical care irrespective of ethnicity and religious beliefs.
Notwithstanding the epidemiological crisis, we have continued to improve legislation and strengthen law enforcement practices. On September 18, 2020, Policy directive on the procedure for compensating small indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation for the losses incurred by them as a result of damage to their habitats caused by activities of organizations of all types of ownership (Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1488) was adopted.
At the moment, draft documents concerning the adoption of responsibility standards for industrial companies in their relationships with indigenous peoples of the Arctic are open to public debate. We are monitoring the implementation of amendments to the Law on the guarantees of the rights of small indigenous peoples of the Russian Federation, introduced this February, concerning the procedure for registering persons who belong to this category. All amendments to the legislation were initiated by indigenous peoples themselves and were discussed publicly.
Madam Chair,
One of the priorities of the State policy in this area is the improvement of mechanisms for the participation of indigenous peoples in decision-making through representation in executive and legislative bodies, primarily at the regional and local levels. There are councils of authorized representatives and other advisory bodies operating under federal and regional authorities.
We continue our preparations for the International Decade of Indigenous Languages proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. Preservation and promotion of linguistic diversity is exceptionally important for our country. There are 277 languages and dialects in Russia, belonging to various language families and groups. Along with the Russian language, 36 languages of Russian peoples are State languages in the republics of the Russian Federation, there are 24 languages of instruction in schools, classes in 81 languages are offered. We continue taking practical steps to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism, preserve and protect intangible cultural heritage of indigenous peoples.
We wish to assure you that our country is open and ready for further cooperation with subsidiary bodies and special procedures on indigenous issues. We believe that steady development of cooperation in this area is only possible through a constructive and non-politicized dialogue.
Agenda item 70 “Elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance”
Madam Chair,
Since the very founding of the United Nations, its Member States have made combating racism and racial discrimination their priority. The Organization itself was a response to the horrors of the Second World War, atrocities of National Socialism, attempts to operationalize doctrines of racial and ethnic exclusion.
In the 75 years of existence of the United Nations, core human rights instruments have been designed and adopted, including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, three World Conferences to Combat Racism have been held, dozens of resolutions have been adopted. At the same time, as was clearly shown by the events of the past year, problems facing the international community in this area are far from becoming part of history.
Attempts to solve them on one’s own, ignoring their global nature, are destined to fail. They, more than anything else, require coherent, coordinated action of all stakeholders, including representatives of the civil society.
The coronavirus pandemic has only accentuated the existing differences in approaches among States. Overtly racist slogans and messages, spread using modern information and communication technologies, have been on the rise, extremist ideas and beliefs of all kinds have been spreading almost uncontrollably. At the same time, States that call themselves “mature democracies” and “committed to human rights standards”, do virtually nothing while hiding behind the guise of the right to freedom of expression, which they treat as absolute.
We strongly disagree with this approach, and believe it is not just wrong, but extremely dangerous and contrary to the holistic and comprehensive approach to human rights. We are convinced that a clear distinction should be made between the mentioned phenomenon and what is usually referred to as “freedom of speech”. The same is prescribed in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, with its article 4 requiring States Parties to this agreement to criminalize such manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. In this regard we endorse the position taken by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that has called for the withdrawal of reservations made by several countries to article 4 of the Convention.
Meanwhile, in the very heart of Europe we see a continued the policy of glorifying those who perpetrated what the United Nations fought against in the years of the Second World War. Veterans of Waffen-SS units and all kinds of collaborators are praised as national heroes. Those who collaborated with the Nazis and committed war crimes and crimes against humanity are treated as national heroes and participants of national liberation movements. In some countries, genuine war has been declared on monuments in honor of those who liberated Europe and the whole world from Nazism and fascism.
We are convinced that in the year that marks the 75th anniversary of the start of the Nuremberg Tribunal it is important to confirm the inviolability of the outcome of the Victory in the Second World War, enshrined, among other things, in the United Nations Charter and Nuremberg documents.
Madam Chair,
A comprehensive legal framework to combat various manifestations of racism and racial discrimination is clearly defined in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, as well as the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action, and the Durban Review Conference outcome document. For its part, the Russian Federation is committed to comprehensively strengthening the Convention regime, including promoting the work of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) established under the Convention. We are convinced that the provisions of the Convention concerning the powers of the Committee should be complied with as strictly as articles concerning specific human rights. Efforts of the treaty body itself within the mandate set out in the Convention are important as well. It is imperative for the relationship between the CERD and States Parties to the treaty to be based on a constructive and mutually respectful dialog, and for the CERD itself to accurately perform its primary role – assist States in the fulfillment of obligations that are clearly and unequivocally set forth in the Convention.
Madam Chair,
We are still seriously concerned about the situation of the so-called
non-citizens, as well as in a broader sense – the persistent discrimination of national minorities in Latvia and Estonia. We find it unacceptable that almost 350,000 people in the center of Europe lack fundamental human rights and freedoms. Riga and Tallinn draw up optimistic reports on the gradual reduction of this number and present it as their “achievement”, but these reports can only be called blatant cynicism. At the current extremely low rate of naturalization the problem will not be solved for decades, and the observed decline in the number of non-citizens is largely due to natural processes including deaths and migration.
There are still no positive developments in the protection of national minority languages, primarily in the area of education. This problem has not been alleviated in either the Baltic States or Ukraine. Measures adopted in this regard cannot be described as other than discriminatory. Moreover, in Ukraine, the Russian language faces double discrimination: not only compared to the Ukrainian language, but also to the languages of EU Member States. We think that this situation is unacceptable.
Agenda item 71 “Right of peoples to self-determination”
Madam Chair,
The exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination enshrined in the United Nations Charter, the Human Rights Covenants, and the United Nations Declaration of Principles of International Law is especially important for a definitive departure from the legacy of colonialism, however, it would be an intentional simplification to only view it in this context. We are convinced that to achieve an equitable international order that would allow all peoples to choose their political future in accordance with the United Nations Charter, as well as norms and principles of the international law, it is important to facilitate the genuine promotion of rights of all peoples with no double standards or advancement of opportunistic interests of individual States and groups of States.
Attempts of individual States to use the policy of collective punishment for the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination, enshrined among other things in the International Covenants on Human Rights, are unacceptable. In particular, we condemn the water blockade imposed upon the Crimean people, restrictions on the right of Crimeans to freedom of movement, other sanctions imposed on them for the exercise of the right to freedom of expression in the course of the Referendum on the Reunification of Crimea with Russia that took place in March 2014.
Agenda item 72 “Promotion and protection of human rights”
Madam Chair,
Today, as the situation in the world remains dire, the old hotbeds of tensions have not been extinguished, and new ones emerge, it becomes extremely important to elaborate revised approaches in the spirit of the times to ensuring a stable, sustainable development of humanity. Russia has consistently acted based on the need to pay equal attention to all categories of human rights – not just civil and political, but also economic, social, and cultural.
Meanwhile, the crisis that has swept the world due to the pandemic of the new coronavirus infection has revealed a harsh truth, namely the deep social stratification inside various countries, irrespective of the level of their economic development, which manifested, among other ways, in unequal access to medical services and social protection. The pandemic has confirmed that the exercise of social and economic rights is of primary importance for the implementation of other categories of human rights and freedoms, that it is crucial to ensure equal opportunities for all segments of society and fight against inequality, and necessary to protect vulnerable population groups, including persons with disabilities, older persons, young people, children, migrants, and unemployed persons.
The pandemic has also shed light on the unpleasant state of global affairs: increased division between countries, unwillingness of some States to give up their short-term selfish interests for a positive unifying agenda of a true international cooperation. It is regrettable that even in the face of a new global threat some countries have not abandoned a stereotypical sanctions-focused mentality and have continued the evil practice of unilateral coercive restrictions for opportunistic political reasons. All of the above has significantly hampered the fight against the coronavirus in several States and has been very harmful to their populations.
Another factor that hampers joint constructive activities ensuring full enjoyment of human rights is a policy adopted by Western countries towards substituting the universally recognized principles of international law with a “rules-based order”. Basic social and economic rights are ignored while political rights, interpreted in an aggressively liberal way, are overemphasized. It is more and more often that accusatory rhetoric is used as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of sovereign States, and frequently – for attempts to change undesirable governments that do not share highly questionable “values” that neglect the cultural and civilizational variety of the modern world and were devised by the West unilaterally. This vicious practice fuels confrontation and ultimately reduces citizens’ ability to exercise their legitimate rights.
Agenda item 111 “Crime prevention and criminal justice”
Madam Chair,
The Russian Federation has consistently supported the central coordinating role of the United Nations in the consolidation of international efforts in addressing global challenges and threats, such as transnational organized crime, drugs, and corruption, in conformity with basic principles of the international law.
Transnational organized crime continues to exploit increased globalization and is itself globalizing, uses scientific and technological advances, and is a threat to the development of States and whole regions.
In this context we would like to note the importance of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, a basic universal document for combating international crime. We welcome the establishment of its review mechanism, and we hope that it will be fully launched as soon as this October.
The 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to be held in March 2021 in Kyoto is of special importance. We welcome the contribution of the host country, Japan, to its preparation. We look forward to actively participating in the Congress, including in the work to elaborate the outcome Kyoto declaration.
We attach high priority to international cooperation in criminal matters. We call on States to focus on finding effective ways to address existing difficulties and obstacles in this area, first of all by strengthening the legal framework of international anticriminal cooperation.
Madam Chair,
We support the strengthening of international anti-corruption cooperation with the central coordinating role of the United Nations on the basis of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).
We remain committed to the principles of the UNCAC Implementation Review Mechanism, its open, intergovernmental, and technical nature. The Implementation Review Mechanism is time-tested and has proven to be a reliable instrument to assess progress, as well as difficulties arising in the course of implementation of the Convention.
We highlight the need for strengthening the international and legal regime on criminal asset recovery, taking into account the results of the second cycle of UNCAC Implementation Review covering the provisions of its Chapter V “Asset Recovery”. We believe it is appropriate to unite the efforts of all stakeholders under the auspices of the United Nations in preventing corruption in sport pursuant to resolution 8/4 “Safeguarding sport from corruption” of the Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, adopted at the initiative of the Russian Federation.
We welcome the Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly against corruption to be convened in 2021. We believe that thorough preparation for this event is necessary in close cooperation between the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and States parties to the UNCAC in line with the procedure and modalities established by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 74/276 and the approved work schedule. We support the elaboration of a balanced and action-oriented outcome declaration of the Special Session in line with resolution 73/191. We are convinced that the event will help to both bring broad international attention to the importance of the UNCAC implementation, its significance for the progress of every State party in the strengthening of national legislation and anti-corruption measures, and identify possible areas for improvement of international cooperation in this area.
Agenda item 112 “Countering the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes”
Madam Chair,
The hardest test for the entire world community in 2020 became the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to the terrible loss of human lives, it brought with it not so obvious, but very tangible collateral damage in the form of a rapid growth of cybercrime on a global scale.
In the context of the forced transition of business structures and government agencies to the remote work mode, in the light of the growth under the quarantine restrictions of the use of the Internet and online services for private life, there was a surge in phishing attacks aimed at stealing personal data and obtaining financial information from individuals and legal entities under the pretext of combating coronavirus infection.
Even in the pre-pandemic period, alarming signals were received from numerous international intergovernmental organizations and bodies, global business corporations and analytical agencies regarding the trend towards a progressive annual worsening of the situation with the scale and sophistication of the use of information and communications technologies by criminals around the world. It is known for certain that as a result of crimes committed in the digital environment, the global economy loses trillions of dollars annually.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of constraining factors in the form of universal legal regulation and political coordination of actions of States to counter this challenge of our time.
In this regard, the Russian Federation especially welcomes the decision of the UN General Assembly in resolution 74/247 on the establishment of an ad hoc intergovernmental committee, which mandate is to develop, under the auspices of the UN, the first ever global convention on countering information crime.
We are convinced that an efficient solution to this problem affects the interests of all States of the world without exception. The future convention should become a universal, accessible and reliable tool and guidance against information crime. It is therefore essential to ensure that the negotiations involve the broadest possible range of States, including developing countries, small island developing States and the least developed countries. This approach can be fully implemented only if sessions of the ad hoc committee are held at the UN Headquarters in New York where all 193 UN Member States are represented.
It is important that the ad hoc committee works in a non-confrontational, constructive and cooperative manner. It should aim to have a non-politicized, transparent and pragmatic discussion in order to fulfill its task. In order to ensure fair, effective and timely decision-making, in its work the ad hoc committee shall be guided by the rules of procedure and established practice of the General Assembly and its Third Committee.
The future convention should be elaborated taking into full consideration existing international instruments, best practices and efforts at the national, regional and international levels on combating the use of information and communications technologies for criminal purposes, in particular the work and outcomes of the open-ended intergovernmental Expert Group to Conduct a Comprehensive Study on Cybercrime. A number of provisions of the effective international treaties in this field could serve as foundation for the future convention.
We call upon all UN Member States to develop the convention as soon as possible and actively participate in the work of the ad hoc committee, including its organizational session, which, according to the decisions of the UN General Assembly, should be held in New York no later than March 1st, 2021.
Agenda item 113 “International drug control”
Madam Chair,
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge for the global drug control system. We believe that the international community is obliged to unite on the basis of the UN Charter in order to address this common threat. The United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) should contribute to this process. We expect that the traditional spirit of Vienna will allow us to give a consolidated response and prevent the corrosion of the current inter-State drug control regime.
Russia is ready to make every possible contribution to this process. We are convinced that the coronavirus will not deter us from our way towards building a world free from drug abuse. In this context we cannot agree with the appeals to discharge conventional obligations and legalize narcotic substances. This policy is unacceptable for us, as it is an infringement on the basic principles of international law.
It is of critical importance to protect the younger generation from the destructive and degrading power of drugs. At the initiative of our country, the CND has adopted resolutions aimed at protecting children and young people from drugs. We believe that such decisions should become an imperative in the activities of the United Nations counter-narcotics mechanism.
Today, the merging of drug money and international terrorism is more apparent than ever. It is necessary to deal a decisive blow to this nexus that ruins the lives of hundreds of thousands. Terrorism and drugs should be clearly and unambiguously eliminated from human society.
We are convinced that individuals’ freedom from drugs should be added to the list of human rights, as it is drugs that enslave a person, are an immediate threat to their life, health, and well-being.
It is the fundamental truth of today that it is impossible to cope with the global drug threat alone. Russia fully agrees with this principle. Together with our allies and partners, we are building a powerful and effective mechanism of defense against drug aggression within the SCO, the CSTO, the CIS, BRICS. The operation of the CARICC has become a meaningful factor in the counter-narcotics cooperation in the Eurasian region.
Madam Chair,
Russia is fully committed to the training of counter-narcotics personnel in specialized educational institutions both in our country and abroad. Just around the corner is the implementation of a project to establish a police canine unit in the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Afghanistan by joint efforts of Russia, Japan, and the UNODC that, we hope, will be an important asset in the country’s efforts in combating illicit drug trafficking.
At the same time, Russia is fully committed to alleviating access to palliative care and the provision of analgesics to population groups that need them. This July, the Government of the Russian Federation approved a 2024 Roadmap to improve the quality and accessibility of palliative care.
Another milestone is the implementation of the 2030 Strategy for State counter-narcotics policy of the Russian Federation, covering all aspects of addressing the drug problem from law enforcement to improving the treatment, rehabilitation, and resocialization of people who use drugs.
The international community is equipped with clear guidelines to address the cross-border drug challenge. Among them are the outcome document of the 2016 United Nations General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem, and the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening Our Actions at the National, Regional and International Levels to Accelerate the Implementation of Our Joint Commitments to Address and Counter the World Drug Problem. We believe that these documents that embody the collective will of the international community will allow us to confidently accomplish our mission to free the world from the evil of drugs.
Thank you.
