You're reading: Ukraine disrespects principle of non-refoulement – statement by Ashton, Fule

The European Union is deeply concerned about Ukraine's extradition of a refugee to Russia, which is a breach of the country's commitments to the principle of non-refoulement.

The spokespersons of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the
Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the
Commission, and Stefan Fule, the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and
European Neighborhood Policy, said this in a joint statement issued on
August 17.

“High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Stefan Fule
are deeply concerned at news that an individual from the Russian
Federation (Republic of Ingushetia) recognized as a refugee under
international law was extradited from Ukraine on August15,” the
statement reads.

According to the EU officials, they fully support the conclusion of
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that
this case demonstrates a breach in the obligation to respect the
principle of non-refoulement.

The high representative and the commissioner also noted that the
action plan on visa liberalization under the EU-Ukraine visa dialogue
includes a number of commitments by Ukraine relating to adoption of
asylum legislation in line with international and EU standards,
including protecting the rights of asylum seekers and refugees.

“It is regrettable that in this case Ukraine appears not to have
respected these commitments, despite repeated and explicit requests in
the last weeks from both UNHCR and the EU,” reads the statement.