Statement by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Foreign Minister of Ukraine Leonid Kozhara on the occasion of Human Rights Day

KYIV, 10 December 2013 - On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara underlined today the important role the OSCE can play in fostering co-operation between participating States in building a community with the highest standards of respect for fundamental human rights and freedoms, and the rule of law.

Over the years, OSCE participating States have undertaken extensive commitments to respect, protect and promote universal human rights, which all human beings are entitled to without discrimination. Encouraging the full implementation of these commitments by all participating States is a top priority of the Ukrainian Chairmanship’s agenda, the OSCE Chair underlined.

“All human rights are equally important and should be treated as such; one should not prioritize some rights above others,” Kozhara stressed. “The promotion and protection of human rights has to take into account their comprehensive and indivisible nature, where non-compliance with standards in one area can impact on the exercise of other rights and freedoms.”

In 2013, under the Ukrainian OSCE Chairmanship, for the first time in three years, the OSCE Ministerial Council adopted decisions in the human dimension – on the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and on improving the situation of Roma and Sinti women, youth and children in the OSCE area.