Analytical reports about Crimea

In March, the occupying authorities conducted searches in 9 Crimean Tatar homes in Crimea, resulting in 6 detentions. 3 victims of political prosecution completed their court sentences. Prison officials in Crimea and Russia do not take effective actions to combat coronavirus. New Russian legislation threatens to dispossess Ukrainian citizens in Crimea of their land ownership rights . The Russian Federation closed the administrative border between occupied Crimea and Kherson Oblast, Ukraine.

In February, Russian law enforcement detained five Crimeans. Russia continues to violate the rights of defendants in politically motivated cases: the accusations are based on inadmissible evidence, conditions in the detention centers do not meet even minimum standards, and medical assistance is not provided for people who have serious health issues. The FSB added three more Crimean Tatars to the list of defendants in the 2nd Simferopol “Hizb ut-Tahrir case”. An additional charge of preparation to commit a terrorist attack was added against pro-Ukrainian activist Oleg Prikhodko.

In 2019, CrimeaSOS recorded the largest number of criminal cases against Crimean Tatars since the beginning of the occupation. The number of violations of freedom of religion and the right to peaceful assembly has increased significantly in the course of the year. Russian border guards in occupied Crimea unreasonably detain activists that are crossing the administrative border between Crimea and mainland Ukraine and try to force Ukrainian citizens to agree to confidential cooperation with the Russian authorities. There is a distinct tendency toward militarization in the education of Crimean schoolchildren. The occupying authorities deny Crimeans the right to receive education in their native language. The occupying authorities violate Crimeans’ right to freely access information. The Russian Federation is trying to change the demographics of occupied Crimea.

Alternative report of the Coalition of NGOs on the implementation by Ukraine of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

In December–January, new charges were brought against Crimeans that are typical for politically motivated cases (treason, illegal possession/manufacture of ammunition and explosives). Yury Primov and Rustem Vaitov completed their unwarranted prison terms but now must also serve 8 years of administrative supervision. The human rights group Memorial has recognized 11 Crimean Tatars as political prisoners. Victims of politically motivated criminal prosecutions are denied medical help. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urges Russia to stop discriminating against Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars in Crimea.

Human rights activists are monitoring developments in the case of Denis Kashuk, who was detained by the FSB in mid-December. Crimean authorities continue to ignore serious health issues of people involved in politically motivated cases. The Russian authorities barred an event dedicated to human rights in Crimea. Interpol refuses to investigate the brutal murder of activist Reshat Ametov in 2014. Experts state that it is highly likely that the actions of Russian security forces caused the death of the well-known human rights activist Vejie Kashka.

Russian border guards prevent Ukrainians from crossing the administrative border between occupied Crimea and mainland Ukraine and try to recruit them at checkpoints. The occupying authorities put pressure on opposition activists and deny medical help to defendants in politically motivated criminal cases. In November, most of the recorded violations related to defendants in the “Hizb ut-Tahrir case”. Russian-controlled local authorities interfere with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church’s activities in Crimea.

In October, the occupying authorities committed 2 arrests of pro-Ukrainian activists in Crimea, 6 detentions, 2 visits to mosques, 1 search in relation to Crimean Tatars, and passed 1 criminal sentence against the Crimean Tatar. The Russian Federation grossly violates the human rights of defendants in the “Hizb ut-Tahrir cases”, as well as the norms of international humanitarian law, propagating military service in the Russian army, conscripting Crimean population and criminally prosecuting those who are refusing to serve.