Human rights activists are concerned about life in Ukraine under Russian occupiers. Blackmail is used to force people to change citizenship, which is very risky.
According to human rights experts, Russia has created a climate of fear in the occupied territories in Ukraine. The occupying power violated international humanitarian law in order to exercise control, reported the observer mission in Ukraine set up by the UN Human Rights Council.
Ukrainian culture is being suppressed, the Russian language is being enforced everywhere and the curriculum in schools is also being designed according to the Russian model. This is where the Russian war of aggression is justified. In youth groups, minors would have to show Russian patriotism. Ukrainian internet and mobile phone providers have been closed and services will only run through Russian providers in order to have control over the content.
Pressure to change citizenship
Anyone who resists pressure to accept a Russian passport will no longer receive health care or social benefits. With Russian citizenship, young men risked being recruited into an army fighting against their homeland, the report said.
Since October 1, 2023, recruitment campaigns have also included the occupied territories. Although the mission has no indication of forced recruitment, there is pressure for the men to volunteer for Russian military service. Russia is calling on residents to denounce relatives, neighbors or friends if they violate the occupiers’ requirements.
Critk from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
“The Russian Federation’s actions have torn apart the social fabric of communities and isolated individuals, which has profound and long-lasting consequences for Ukrainian society as a whole,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.
The rapporteurs primarily look at the situation in the areas conquered since the Russian attack began in February 2022. The observer mission conducted more than 2,300 interviews, including in areas around Mykolaiv, Kharkiv and Kherson, from which the Russians were quickly expelled. In many areas the destruction was great, the economy destroyed and the population traumatized.
The observer mission criticizes Ukrainian accusations of collaboration with the occupiers, which may have been done under duress or to maintain important services. That makes these people victims for the second time. “This risk of possible criminal prosecution has sowed fear among those who lived or are still living under the occupation and reinforces division,” Türk said.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
