CrimeaSOS: Repression against the population of Crimea shall not be a state policy of the russian federation

On May 12–16, 2025, the First Crimean Week was held in Brussels under the slogan: “People matter, not territories.” It was attended by representatives of European institutions, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, and human rights activists, including the CrimeaSOS team. 

Crimea SOS international advocacy expert Artem Oliinyk emphasized that humanitarian issues should not be considered only in the context of war or geopolitics. “This is neither a political issue nor a bargaining chip. Repression against civilians shall not be an instrument of state policy — these are violations that we shall stop together,” — he emphasized. 

According to Artem, during the events, the delegation of Ukrainian NGOs managed to hold a number of events and meetings with representatives of European institutions, which allowed outlining possible steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Crimea. “Specific cases  were at the centre of each conversation: violations that directly affected the rights of Ukrainian citizens left without proper protection,” — he emphasized. 

It was separately noted that the EU’s real solidarity with Ukraine should go beyond military support. Ukrainian citizens who find themselves in temporarily occupied territories, in russia, Europe, or anywhere in the world, should feel support both from their state and from European structures, towards which Ukraine is actively moving. 

“The process of Ukraine’s accession to the EU is proceeding at lightning speed, and therefore the European Union should prepare now for the fact that the problems of Ukrainian citizens are the problems of future EU citizens. This means both responsibility and readiness for real action,” — the expert concluded. 

The first Crimean Week became an important platform for discussing the human rights situation in occupied Crimea. During the week, the CrimeaSOS team presented evidence of human rights violations in Crimea. In particular, the premiere of the documentary film “Without the Right to Protection,” meetings with politicians, and a series of advocacy events took place. 

CrimeaSOS believes that Crimean Week has become an important step towards the formation of a joint European-Ukrainian platform for action in the field of human rights protection, which has the potential to influence policy and practice at the international level. 

We would like to remind you that during a side event in Geneva within the framework of the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, CrimeaSOS advocacy expert Artem Oliinyk reported that cases of forced disappearances of women were increasing in Crimea.