Item 8: General debate on follow-up and implemenation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action

51st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, ITEM 8, General Debate: Statement by Finland, Delivered by Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Permanent Representative of Finland, 3 October 2022.

Chairperson,

Finland aligns itself with the EU statement.

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action recalls “the determination expressed in the Preamble of the Charter of the United Nations to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, to establish conditions under which justice and respect for obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained” and “to practice tolerance and good neighbourliness”.

Finland strongly condemns the illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine’s regions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhya and the preceeding sham “referenda”, which are a blatant violation of international law. They blatantly violate the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and the UN Charter.

They do not have effect on Ukraine’s borders. Ukraine’s sovereignty and territory is indivisible and inviolable. Finland will never recognize the illegal annexations of any Ukrainian region by Russia.

Russia must immediately end its brutal and illegal invasion. Our support to Ukraine and Ukrainian people remains firm.

Thank you.