In framework of cooperation with global international structures our Association communicated month ago with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding elaboration of global analytical study on human rights-based approach into the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, in line with the provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Our submission, published at UN official web-sources now, stressed on negative environmental consequences of Russian aggression, directly connected with human rights, humanitarian standards, environmental challenges and maritime safety and security in Black Sea and Sea of Azov including waters adjacent to the Crimean peninsula.
ARC’s submission added that those threats are also crucial for the human rights challenges related to biodiversity loss, including the context of the illegal countering by Russia to the implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Relevant statements of IMO Resolution A.1183 (33) on the negative impact of the Russian maritime aggression on the maritime environment were pointed out.
Special risks, our submission stressed, arise in this zone regarding potential changes in the hydrogen sulfide layer located in the deep-water part of the Black Sea, in particular due to explosive processes, with next negative impact against biosystems and biodiversity.
ARC’s submission also pointed out that negative challenges for Black Sea’s biodiversity were caused by destruction of Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant by Russian invaders, that caused toxic pollution and changed the Black Sea ecosystems in non-precedent volumes, with catastrophic consequences to biodiversity issues.
Our submission mentioned that relevant challenges to biodiversity were discussed by our experts during the side-events on Sharm-el-Sheikh, Dubai and Baku Climate Change Conferences (COP 27 – COP 29) in 2022-2024, also as at World Law Congresses, 2023 and 2025.
ARC’s submission also reminded the next catastrophic environmental situation, related with Russia’s aggression and started on December 15, 2024 when the Russian tankers “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239”, with thousands of tons of fuel oil cargo sank in a storm near the Kerch Strait.
Our submission stressed that in 2025, fuel oil pollution from “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239”, was determined on all Black Sea shores of Russia-controlled Crimea, from Kerch to Karkinita Bay and it caused extremely negative consequences for populations of maritime birds, mammals and fish.
Submission pointed out that in addition to Crimea, birds contaminated with fuel oil were found in Odesa region of Ukraine and along the entire coast of Georgia, including occupied Abkhazia, and fuel oil also appeared in the Sea of Azov, near Russia-occupied Berdyansk.
ARC’s submission added that Russian “authorities” in Crimea disseminated fakes about the situation from the very beginning of the catastrophe, they did not use the present oil and garbage collector vessels to collect fuel oil due to their ugly technical conditions. Also they collected hundreds tons of waste, also thousands of dead birds and mammals from shores, that are stored without any compliance of minimal ecologic demands.
ARC reminded in that context, with relevance to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, about the submission of Mejlis of Crimean Tatar People sent to UN Human Rights bodies in Geneva, regarding compensation of relevant damages for Indigenous collective rights, including the biodiversity issues.
