Russia - press release Unicef politicizing Ukraine

THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

official site

Home \ Statements and speeches \

PRESS RELEASE

Comments by the representation of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the situation in Ukraine

972-23-04-2014

Russia always supports the noble activity of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) monitoring the situation of children in complicated conditions, as a result of internal political tensions in different countries of the world, as well as providing aid to them.

In this regard we were extremely surprised at the tone and content of their comments on the situation in Ukraine, which they made in the Information bulletin of the UNICEF Representation in the country of 5 April 2014.

We cannot disregard many passages that the cause of the aggravation of problems among Ukrainian children allegedly is the aggravation of relations between Ukraine and Russia, the uncertain status of Russian troops located along the border with Ukraine, the increase in the sale prices of Russian gas for Kiev and the prohibition by Russian authorities to use Metadon replacement therapy in Crimea.

This seems to be an awkward attempt to unfairly shift responsibility for the situation.

It is puzzling that the representation of such an authoritative organisation as UNICEF, with which the Russian Federation closely interactson the issues of ensuring observation of children’s rights, especially in crisis situations, is sliding into a clearly politicised and distorted interpretation of the events in Ukraine.

We hope that in future the UNICEF Representation in Ukraine will strictly stick to the mandate of the Fund, which is laid down in UN General Assembly resolution 802/VIII of 6 October 1953.

http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/0FB23B0A3861B86B44257CC50054D14E