Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published the following Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine for the period from February 16 to May 15 2018. In the Report`s Chapter VII “Human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol” it was observed the issue of enforced disappearances and infringement of property rights, and a lack of accountability. As it was noted the Russian Federation continued to apply its laws in Crimea and the city of Sevastopol in violation of the obligation under international humanitarian law to respect the legislation of the occupied territory. The report observed that on 18 March 2018, the election of the Russian Federation President was held in Crimea, in violation of United Nations General Assembly resolutions 68/262 (27 March 2014), 71/205 (19 December 2016), and 72/190 (19 December 2017).
Moreover as it is said in Report, Russia continued to restrict the exercise of fundamental freedoms and criminalized free speech on the peninsula. During the reporting period, OHCHR documented 24 cases involving 54 human rights violations, including enforced disappearances and infringement of property rights, and a lack of accountability. Twenty-eight of these violations occurred during the reporting period, of which the Government of the Russian Federation was responsible for 25 violations, and the Government of Ukraine was responsible for 3 violations. The violations attributable to the Government of Ukraine did not occur in Crimea itself, but concern events in mainland Ukraine with connection to the situation in Crimea and are related to freedom of movement and access to public services.
OHCHR notes that in Crimea, the Government of the Russia, as the Occupying Power, must fully live up to its obligations under international humanitarian law with regard to human rights and fundamental freedoms. Forcible transfers of protected persons must cease and property rights must be respected.
The report includes the following recommendations to the aggressor State:
– implement UN General Assembly Resolution 72/190 of 19 December 2017, including by ensuring proper and unimpeded access of international human rights monitoring missions and human rights non-governmental organizations to Crimea;
– respect obligations that apply to an Occupying Power pursuant to international humanitarian law, including the obligation to respect laws in force in the occupied territory;
– refrain from criminalizing free speech and peaceful conduct, and quash all penalties imposed on Crimean residents for expressing dissenting views, including regarding the status of Crimea;
– end the practice of deportations and forcible transfers of protected persons outside the territory of Crimea, pursuant to the obligations of the occupying power;
– protect private property in Crimea and Sevastopol against confiscations in line with international standards and restore property rights of all former owners affected by previous confiscations.
Complete version of the Report is on the link:
https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/UA/ReportUkraineFev-May2018_EN.pdf