Lavrov to speak at Geneva session of UN Human Rights Council

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will speak at the 28th session of the UN Council on Human Rights in Geneva."In March the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov will speak at the high-level segment of the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva," a Russian Foreign Ministry statement reads, RIA Novosti reports.Representatives of Russia during the session are planning to initiate the HRC to adopt a presidential statement in connection with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. "We look forward to a constructive approach from all interested delegations," the representative office said.Sergey Lavrov will also meet with the heads of international organizations and their subsidiaries in Geneva, and discuss with them a wide range of issues on the international agenda and Russia's cooperation with these organizations.In addition, in an "in-the-field" session Lavrov will open a high-level event on the issue of protection of Christians. "In the context of discussing the issues of protection of Christians, Russia is seriously concerned about the conflicts in the Middle East, which since ancient times was the center of all monotheistic religions. Unfortunately, in the course of these conflicts, Christians are not only harassed and discriminated, but also becoming victims of actions falling under the definition of genocide," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted, expressing concern at widespread religious intolerance in Western countries as well.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will speak at the 28th session of the UN Council on Human Rights in Geneva.
"In March the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov will speak at the high-level segment of the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva," a Russian Foreign Ministry statement reads, RIA Novosti reports.

Representatives of Russia during the session are planning to initiate the HRC to adopt a presidential statement in connection with the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. "We look forward to a constructive approach from all interested delegations," the representative office said.

Sergey Lavrov will also meet with the heads of international organizations and their subsidiaries in Geneva, and discuss with them a wide range of issues on the international agenda and Russia's cooperation with these organizations.

In addition, in an "in-the-field" session Lavrov will open a high-level event on the issue of protection of Christians. "In the context of discussing the issues of protection of Christians, Russia is seriously concerned about the conflicts in the Middle East, which since ancient times was the center of all monotheistic religions. Unfortunately, in the course of these conflicts, Christians are not only harassed and discriminated, but also becoming victims of actions falling under the definition of genocide," the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted, expressing concern at widespread religious intolerance in Western countries as well.