On December 10, 2018, a commemorative event on the occasion of the celebration of the International Human Rights Day and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights took place in Mikhaylivska Square in Kyiv.

The event, organized by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, was attended by heads of diplomatic missions and offices of international organizations, public authorities, and civil society, as well as citizens.

Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Serhii Kyslytsia in his welcoming speech emphasized the importance of the observance of human rights, especially in the context of an armed conflict. It was with this purpose that Ukraine initially invited a UN mission to assist in monitoring human rights violations in the occupied territories in 2014, following the start of Russian military aggression and the occupation of the Crimean peninsula.

"Supporting human rights is a joint responsibility of the Government, Parliament and civil society that starts with each of us", stressed Serhii Kyslytsia, accentuating on the importance of the presence of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine in the temporarily occupied territories.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Ms. Fiona Frazer, UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Osnat Lubrani and foreign ambassadors in Ukraine.