According to the decision on the follow-up of the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (Ukraine), UNESCO, in cooperation with partner institutions (including, for instance, UNHCR, the OSCE, Amnesty International), prepares reports on the situation in Crimea. The decision also extends the mandate of UNESCO’s monitoring activities falling within its competence, particularly with respect to monitoring the protection of freedom of speech and safety of journalists, equal access to education, women’s rights, protection of tangible and intangible assets, ban on exporting and trading in museum property, as well as the protection of ethnic or religious minorities, in particular Crimean Tatars.

The successful voting is also due to the intensive and effective diplomatic efforts of Poland’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris, as well as the support of a number of Polish embassies in European, Asian, African, and American countries.

The UNESCO’s decision related to Ukraine contributes to implementing Poland’s foreign policy goals in their eastern dimension. It is also part of Poland’s recent efforts to strengthen its position at the UN, such as obtaining the status of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2018-2019, membership of the UN Human Rights Council in 2020-2022, and the OSCE chairmanship to be assumed by Poland in 2022.

 

The Friends of Ukraine Group at UNESCO was established in 2016. Currently, the group brings together 12 countries: Australia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the UK. The group aims to support Ukraine in its efforts to actively involve UNESCO in matters relating to ensuring the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Crimea.

 

MFA Press Office