State Secretary for Political Affairs Frano Matušić on 17-18 July 2023 in New York attended a UN General Assembly debate on “The Situation in the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine”. The debate focused on human rights, with special emphasis on war crimes and crimes against humanity, as well as forced deportation and kidnapping, especially of children, and violence against women in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
Addressing the event, Matušić condemned Russia’s aggression on Ukraine, which has been going on for more than a year, underscoring the importance of fighting to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence. In that context, he reflected on the UN’s numerous reports on the widespread patterns of execution, torture and abuse of prisoners of war and civilians by Russia.
In regard to assistance to Ukraine, Matušić said that Croatia had donated 225.34 million euros to date and that nearly 25 000 persons from Ukraine had been granted temporary protection in Croatia. In addition to various bilateral and multilateral activities as well as official visits by Croatian officials, the state secretary highlighted the upcoming International Donor Conference on Mine Action in Ukraine that Croatia will host in October.
Concluding his address, Matušić underlined the importance of prosecuting Russia’s war crimes, violations of human rights and the international humanitarian law, as well as identifying victims, which is necessary for determining responsibility and uncovering the truth. He reflected on Croatia’s own experience from the Homeland War.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute, a commemoration and a ministerial round table took place on 17 July at the UN dedicated to the strategic vision and wok of the International Criminal Court, which Matušić also participated in.
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