In framework of permanent cooperation with UN bodies ARC’s experts were invited for online participation on two events held in UN Geneva office on September, 19. During side event on “International Covenant on the Right to Development: Achieving development for all”, jointly organized by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, panelists reflected on the draft Covenant submitted to the Human Rights Council in its current session and exchanged views on its added value and future trajectory.
Professor Borys Babin stressed to participants of this event that special attention must be paid to right to development in conditions of interstate conflict, for indigenous peoples and for population of occupied territories like Ukraine’s Crimea and pointed on revious ARC’s submission sent to UN Geneva office’s structures on this matter. Also Dr. Babin and PhD Anna Prykhodko attended online a side event on homelessness and contemporary forms of slavery, based on the thematic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council by the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata.
Experts reminded to side event participants on ongoing situation of illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia and Russia occupied territories, that is now a subject of ICC consideration. Professor Babin stressed that opinion of UN experts regarding conjunction of countering discrimination, war crimes and genocide with combating homelessness seems crucial to be reflected in next UN documents.
As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed on UN General Assembly debated at September 19, “various terrorist groups have abducted children before, but never before have mass abductions and deportations become part of state policy. Until today. Abducted Ukrainian children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are severed. This is genocide”.
