On March 11, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the Sevastopol City Council adopted the “Declaration of Independence of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol” at their sessions, grossly violating the legislation of Ukraine.

On the same day, a pro-Ukrainian rally was held in Simferopol, calling for the preservation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity “For Peace and for the Unity of Crimea and Ukraine” and demands for the release of the abducted Andriy Shchekun, Anatoliy Kovalsky, and Igor Kiryushchenko. Activists have announced that they refuse to take part in the announced “referendum” on the status of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. In the middle of the day, 28-year-old activist Mykhailo Vdovchenko was abducted in Simferopol. 

Throughout the peninsula were reported violations of the rights to freedom of speech, obstruction of journalists’ work and attacks on media. 

The Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Sevastopol was also closed.