Ukraine fully fulfils its intl obligations, incl Ottawa Convention, has already destroyed 3 mln anti–personnel mines – MFA

KYIV. Jan 31 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Ukraine, exercising its right to self-defense in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, fully implements its international obligations while russian occupants commit the war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide of the Ukrainian people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated, commenting on the report of the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch.

The Ministry stressed that the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on their Destruction (Ottawa Convention) and Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons which may be deemed to be Excessively Injurious or to have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW) are important international instruments to ban such inhumane weapons as anti-personnel land mines.

“The events of the last year proved that it is important now more than ever to universalize these multilateral mechanisms in the field of disarmament and arms control. We do expect that HRW, together with its international partners from non-governmental organizations and the entire world community, will intensify efforts in this direction, in particular, increase pressure on the russian federation to immediately cease the criminal war against Ukraine with its use of the entire range of inhumane weapons and to return to compliance with the international law,” the comment says.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reminded that according to the Ottawa Convention Ukraine had already destroyed 3 million antipersonnel mines, including stockpiles of extremely hazardous mines POM-3. Attacking Ukraine russia has used and continue to use all spectrum of prohibited mines, including those highly dangerous for civilians POM-3 Medallion.

At the same time, the Ukrainian side has always shown openness to interaction with international non-governmental organizations.

“Ukraine took note of the Report of the International Non-Governmental Organization Human Rights Watch (HRW), which will be duly studied by the competent authorities of Ukraine,” the ministry said.

At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expects that HRW will actively assist Ukraine in consolidating international efforts to assist Ukraine in the field of mine action.

Earlier, Human Rights Watch, in its report dated October 31, accused the Ukrainian military of using anti-personnel mines in Kharkiv region, in particular, petal mines during the occupation of these territories of the Russian Federation, which led to civilian casualties. At the same time, a map of Ukraine was used in the report, on which Crimea is designated as the territory of Russia.