Statement by H.E. R. Alyautdinov, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Russia at the 221st session of UNESCO Executive Board

I am compelled  to draw attention once again to the blatant facts of France's violation of the UNESCO Agreement regarding the Headquarters of the Organization and its Privileges and Immunities on French Territory:

France for the first time in the 80 years of the Organization's existence did not issue a visa to the Secretary-General of the Commission of the Russian Federation for UNESCO. 

On 6 April, a member of the Russian delegation holding a French visa was detained at the airport. The young girl, who came to Paris for the first time to participate at the Executive Board session, was forcibly detained as if she was a criminal at the police station for almost a whole day without explanation.

A number of staff members designated to work at the Permanent Delegation have been waiting for visas for months, and some of them – for years. Russian representatives travelling to various UNESCO events are also denied entry.

We call on the Director General to fully apply her mandate and authority, as well as the relevant legal procedures, to normalize the situation as soon as possible.