Bulgaria condemns aggression against Ukraine and expresses concern over its implications for human rights and international security at UN high-level forums in Geneva
02 March 2022 News
"Bulgaria unequivocally supports Ukraine's sovereignty, its unity and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, including its territorial waters," said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Velislava Petrova during her participation in the High-Level Segment, which opened the 49th session of the Human Rights Council.
In line with the statements of the other EU member states, in her statement she also focused on what is happening in Ukraine. Deputy Minister Petrova pointed out that the Bulgarian national position is to condemn in the strongest possible terms the military invasion of Russia in Ukraine, which is a gross violation of the international law. She drew attention to the negative consequences of the conflict for the observance of human rights and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country. Deputy Minister Petrova called on the Human Rights Council to take the necessary measures to deal with the difficult situation and to remain committed to the issue until it is fully resolved.
Another important point from the speech of Deputy Minister Petrova before the Human Rights Council was related to dealing with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. "Bulgaria remains committed to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to overcome its socio-economic consequences," the Bulgarian Deputy Minister said in a statement. She pointed out that respect for human rights is at the forefront of the Bulgarian government's efforts to ensure the best possible protection for all citizens. Deputy Minister Petrova pointed out that the pandemic has accelerated the widespread use of new technologies in various areas of public life, which poses new challenges to the observance, protection and promotion of human rights.
In conclusion, she recalled that Bulgaria's three-year membership in the Human Rights Council ended in December 2021, and in the last year the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria in Geneva was a member of the Bureau and Deputy Chairman of the Council. She also announced the intentions of our country to run again for membership in the Human Rights Council in the period 2024-2026.
What is happening in Ukraine is also reflected in the speech of Deputy Minister Petrova before the High Level Segment of the Conference on Disarmament, which is being held in parallel with the session of the Human Rights Council. "The situation requires urgent measures aimed at deterring aggression and hostilities, restoring mutual trust, de-escalation and a return to dialogue," said Deputy Minister Petrova. She added that the Conference could play a role in restoring effective multilateralism and dialogue, given the organisation's experience in multilateral disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Deputy Minister Petrova pointed out that bringing Russia's nuclear forces on special alert is a threat from a country that is a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and a permanent member of the Security Council. "The seriousness of this action is very worrying and very difficult to ignore," said the Bulgarian Deputy Minister.