A report from the United Nations reveals a “climate of fear” in regions of Ukraine that are occupied by Russia.
Using more than 2,300 statements from individuals who have experienced it firsthand, the report outlines actions taken by Russia to impose Russian language, citizenship, legal system, and education programs in occupied territories. These actions also include suppressing and obstructing Ukrainian culture and identity, as well as dismantling its governing and administrative infrastructure.
According to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, the actions taken by the Russian Federation have caused significant harm to Ukrainian society by damaging relationships between communities and leaving individuals isolated. The negative consequences of this are expected to have a lasting impact.
The report focuses on the consequences of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, even though the Russian Federation had already begun annexing Ukrainian territory in Crimea in 2014.
Widespread violations
The Russian military, acting without consequences, carried out numerous offenses that involved unjust detainment, frequently involving torture and abuse, sometimes resulting in forced disappearances.
The OHCHR stated in a news release that the Russian military initially focused on people believed to jeopardize security, but later extended its scope to encompass anyone who was seen as apposing the occupation.
The report stated that peaceful demonstrations were stopped, the ability to freely express oneself was limited, and people’s movements were heavily limited. It also pointed out that homes and businesses were looted and the Ukrainian internet and communication systems were deactivated, cutting off access to unbiased news and isolating the people.
Individuals were incentivized to report on each other, causing them to fear even those they were close with in their community.
Children worst affected
Based on the report, kids suffered the most from the consequences. In numerous schools, Ukrainian coursework was replaced by Russian coursework and new textbooks were introduced that tried to justify the military assault on Ukraine.
Russia recruited young individuals to join youth organizations in order to instill a sense of Russian pride and loyalty.
The article mentioned that individuals living in captured territories were forced to obtain Russian citizenship. Those who declined were targeted and faced stricter limitations on their mobility, as well as being gradually deprived of opportunities for government jobs, healthcare, and welfare.
A sign warning of landmines stands behind a fence surrounding a ruined house in Posad-Pokrovske, located in the Kherson region of Ukraine. (file)
Collapsed local economy
The report described the events that occurred in territories retaken by Ukrainian troops towards the end of 2022, specifically in Mykolaiv and certain areas of Kharkiv and Kherson regions.
The report mentioned that the invasion, occupation, and reclamation of these regions by Ukraine resulted in damaged residences and infrastructure, contaminated land from mines and war remnants, looted resources, a decline in the local economy, and a distressed and distrusting community.
The Ukrainian Government must work on rebuilding and reinstating services in these areas, while also addressing the past violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws during the occupation.
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The Ukrainian legal provision labeled as “overly broad”//
The report also highlighted worry about a section of the Ukrainian Criminal Code that is too vague and wide-reaching, resulting in individuals being accused of aiding the occupying forces for actions that may actually be required under international humanitarian law, such as providing essential services.
The High Commissioner Türk warned that prosecuting individuals for collaboration has resulted in some being victimized twice – first during the Russian occupation and then again during the prosecution process. Türk urged Ukraine to reconsider their approach to these cases.
He restated his plea for Russia to promptly stop their use of weapons against Ukraine and retreat to borders that are acknowledged by the international community, following the appropriate resolutions from the United Nations General Assembly and conforming to international law.
Source: news.un.org
