Ukraine: UN rights expert to review progress on the situation of internally displaced persons

GENEVA / KYIV (30 August 2016) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons, Chaloka Beyani, will visit Ukraine from 1 to 9 September 2016 to review the human rights situation of internally displaced persons in the country. He will follow up on recommendations made in his 2014 report* to the UN Human Rights Council.

“During my visit, I will consider progress made with regard to the protection and assistance provided to IDPs and consult on current challenges and opportunities for achieving durable solutions for them in Ukraine,” Mr. Beyani said, recalling his previous official visit to the country in which he expressed concern over a number of issues relating to IDPs.

“I have been following the situation of IDPs in Ukraine very closely, and IDPs continue to face difficulties in accessing their rights, including to social benefits, freedom of movement, housing, and employment opportunities. The likelihood of a protracted displacement situation for many is clear and requires urgent and focused attention on supporting durable solutions in the form of local integration or resettlement where return to their homes is not possible,” Mr. Beyani added.

During his nine-day visit, the expert will meet Government officials, UN partners and civil society organizations, as well as displaced persons and affected communities.

At the end of his visit, on Friday 9 September 2016, the expert will share his preliminary observations with the media at a press conference which will be held at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center, Kyiv at 12.00pm. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

 (*) Check the Special Rapporteur’s 2014 report on Ukraine:  http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/dpage_e.aspx?si=A/HRC/29/34/Add.3

ENDS

Mr. Chaloka Beyani, professor of international law at the London School of Economics, was appointed Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons by the Human Rights Council in September 2010. As a Special Rapporteur, he is part of the Special Procedures of Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization, and serve in their individual capacity. Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/IDPersonsIndex.aspx

Check the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IDPersons/Pages/Standards.aspx

UN Human Rights, Country Page - Ukraine: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/ENACARegion/Pages/UAIndex.aspx

For more information and media requests, please contact:
In Kyiv: Ms. Martina Caterina (caterina@unhcr.org) or Ms. Nina Sorokopud (sorokopu@unhcr.org / +38 044 288-9710)
In Geneva: Mr. Graham Fox (+41 22 917 9640 / gfox@ohchr.org) or Ms. Harriet Hirst (+41 22 739 8110 / hirst@unhcr.org)

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