Committee: UNHRC

Delegation: Ukraine
Topic: Ensuring the rights of migrants and refugees while countering violent extremism and
racialism globally.
Country: Ukraine

1. Does the Delegate’s Country Support this Topic?

Yes, Ukraine strongly supports ensuring the rights of migrants and refugees while actively
countering violent extremism and racialism. As a country that has experienced a large-scale
displacement crisis due to ongoing conflict, Ukraine views the protection of migrants and
refugees as an essential humanitarian obligation. The government remains committed to
safeguarding the rights of displaced persons while addressing the threat of violent extremism and
racial discrimination.

Ukraine’s foreign policy on this issue emphasizes upholding international human rights
standards, enhancing border security, and cooperating with international organizations to ensure
the safety, dignity, and well-being of all refugees and migrants, especially in the face of rising
extremist ideologies and racial prejudices globally.

2. What has the Delegate’s Country Done about this Topic in Accordance with
Your Stance?

Ukraine has been at the forefront of addressing refugee and migrant issues, especially with the
ongoing conflict that began in 2014 and escalated in 2022. Ukraine has faced unprecedented
challenges in dealing with both internal displacement and the arrival of refugees from
neighboring countries such as Russia and Belarus, as well as other global regions. The magnitude
of this displacement has forced Ukraine to bolster its legal framework for migrant protection,
integrate refugees into society, and ensure their rights are upheld, despite the economic and
security challenges the country faces.

Ukraine has committed itself to several international conventions and treaties, most notably the
1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the European Convention on
Human Rights (ECHR), all of which safeguard the rights of refugees and migrants. Through
these frameworks, Ukraine is bound to protect migrants from discrimination, ensure their access
to essential services, and maintain their dignity. However, the increased strain on Ukraine's
national resources due to the influx of displaced persons from war and conflict zones has led to
significant challenges in providing adequate support and services for all refugees.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Social Policy and other humanitarian organizations, including UNHCR
(United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), have worked diligently to provide
emergency relief such as shelter, healthcare, and food to refugees and internally displaced
persons (IDPs). In addition, Ukraine has enacted the Law on Refugees and Persons in Need of
Complementary Protection to provide legal frameworks for the protection of migrants.

On the issue of countering violent extremism and racialism, Ukraine has historically taken strong
stances against hate crimes, with an emphasis on combating hate speech and xenophobia. Since
2014, the government has enacted legislation to penalize discriminatory acts based on race,
ethnicity, religion, and gender. In 2013, Ukraine ratified the International Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), further committing itself to the
fight against racial discrimination at the international level.

However, while Ukraine has made strides in refugee protection and countering racialism, several
key challenges remain. The country’s handling of racial discrimination, particularly with the
influx of migrants from Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, has seen varying degrees of
success. Concerns about xenophobic attacks, particularly against non-European refugees, have
surfaced within Ukraine, though the government has taken measures to address such incidents.

Ukraine’s participation in multilateral initiatives aimed at combating violent extremism, such as

the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF) and OSCE (Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe), further underlines its commitment to preventing radicalization and
violent extremism. Ukraine has worked closely with European partners to address the ideological
and social factors that contribute to extremism, particularly through social programs targeting
vulnerable youth.

Despite these efforts, Ukraine still faces challenges in completely integrating refugees and
ensuring the effectiveness of its counter-extremism programs. Issues such as the rise of far-right
extremist groups and their growing influence in Ukrainian society must be addressed, as these
groups often perpetuate xenophobic rhetoric that puts refugees and migrants at risk. Additionally,
the lack of resources and the financial strain placed on Ukrainian institutions due to the ongoing
conflict have hindered the full implementation of refugee protection policies.

3. What does the Delegate’s Country Plan to Do about this Topic in Accordance
with Your Stance?

Looking forward, Ukraine is committed to further enhancing its refugee protection systems while
continuing to combat racial discrimination and violent extremism through comprehensive,
multifaceted approaches. Ukraine’s planned actions on this issue revolve around strengthening
the existing legal framework for refugees, expanding international cooperation, and focusing on
both prevention and intervention regarding violent extremism.

Strengthening Legal Frameworks and Refugee Protection: Ukraine plans to further improve
its legal frameworks to ensure that refugees and migrants receive the protection they need. In line
with international standards, Ukraine seeks to better implement the European Union Asylum
Procedures Directive by establishing quicker asylum application procedures and enhancing the
integration process for refugees, including employment, education, and healthcare. With a
rapidly growing refugee population, Ukraine recognizes the need for better infrastructure to
accommodate and integrate refugees into the workforce and society.

Ukraine also intends to increase its collaboration with international organizations such as
UNHCR and IOM to provide the necessary resources and expertise to address the needs of both
incoming and internally displaced populations. Additionally, Ukraine aims to expand its
partnerships with neighboring countries to share the responsibility for migrant settlement,
ensuring that neighboring regions also bear part of the humanitarian burden.

Combating Violent Extremism: In terms of countering violent extremism, Ukraine will

continue to strengthen its national security frameworks while ensuring that human rights are not
compromised in the process. Ukraine plans to focus on prevention by implementing nationwide
counter-radicalization programs that target youth at risk of being recruited into extremist
ideologies. This will be done in collaboration with local governments, community leaders, and
international partners. Ukraine also plans to integrate counter-extremism education into its
schools to teach tolerance, diversity, and peaceful coexistence among young people.

Ukraine's government recognizes the importance of addressing the root causes of violent
extremism, such as economic hardship, social exclusion, and lack of opportunity. Therefore,
Ukraine’s future actions will include social reintegration programs for individuals who have been
radicalized, focusing on providing education, skills training, and employment opportunities to
reintegrate them into society and reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies. Ukraine is also
exploring the possibility of expanding its intelligence-sharing initiatives with the European
Union (EU) and NATO in order to counter transnational extremist movements more effectively.

Addressing Racialism and Xenophobia: Ukraine plans to continue fighting racial

discrimination and xenophobia by improving public education and awareness campaigns that
promote tolerance and multiculturalism. Furthermore, Ukraine intends to increase cooperation
with international human rights organizations to monitor and address any instances of racial
discrimination and xenophobia in the treatment of migrants and refugees. Ukraine's foreign
policy will also include a firm stance against far-right extremist groups that use racial and ethnic
prejudices to justify violence against migrants.

Ukraine also plans to enhance the capacity of its judiciary to address and prosecute hate crimes
more effectively. This includes increasing the training of law enforcement officers and judicial
authorities on how to handle cases of racial discrimination and hate crimes involving refugees
and migrants.

International Cooperation: Ukraine recognizes that the issues of migration, violent extremism,
and racialism are global in nature and require collective action. Therefore, Ukraine plans to
strengthen its diplomatic efforts to ensure that its voice is heard in key international forums such
as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Global Forum on Migration and
Development. Ukraine will advocate for more inclusive international frameworks that promote
the rights of migrants and refugees while addressing the root causes of migration, such as
conflict, poverty, and climate change.
Conclusion

In conclusion, Ukraine is committed to ensuring the rights of migrants and refugees while
countering violent extremism and racialism globally. While significant progress has been made,
much remains to be done in terms of improving refugee integration, addressing extremist
ideologies, and combating racial discrimination. Ukraine’s future plans focus on legal reforms,
international cooperation, and comprehensive strategies to tackle these challenges while
protecting the dignity and rights of all displaced persons. Through concerted efforts on the
national and international stages, Ukraine is determined to contribute to a more peaceful,
inclusive, and secure world for migrants and refugees.