Speaker: …cynical abuse to the concepts, ideas and values enshrined in the declaration of the rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities. And tragically, currently there is no United Nations mechanism of penalty for such blatant abuse. This is a serious gap with grave consequences which needs to be filled. We should remember that impunity brings greater crimes. Article 8, clause 4 stipulates that nothing in the present declaration may be construed as permitting any activity contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Including sovereign equality, territorial integrity and political independence of states. Nevertheless, the Russian Federation dared to claim the defense of national minorities as a cynical attempt to justify its unjustifiable attempt at invading Ukraine. While claiming the defense of Russian speaking people, Russian troops killed a horrific number of the Russian speaking population of Ukraine in the east and south of our country. And took away Ukrainian children for adoption in Russia. These children had parents before Russia attacked full-scale. While claiming the defense of the [inaudible] of the Orthodox Church, Russian missiles destroyed its temples, and killed its parishioners. There are at least 142 buildings of this church ruined by this Russian attack. [inaudible] we can name every single one of them. This is what so-called Russian protection and liberation are like. Unique cultures in Ukraine lost their home in Mariupol and the nearby region. Mariupol was fully destroyed by the Russian attack. For example the [inaudible] had their homes exactly where Russian troops left in ruins. I should stress that once again, impunity brings greater crimes, therefore it is important to develop sufficient mechanisms of response in the United Nations to address blatant violation of the declaration’s values and principles. Thank you very much.

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