The Chief Consultants of the Departments of International Connections and Legal Analysis of the Mission Valeria Pakhomova and Ruslan Seidametov as representatives of the Delegation of Ukraine took part in the Annual OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting, held in Warsaw (Poland). At the Seventh Working Session of the Meeting Ruslan Seidametov emphasized the aspects of oppression and violation of freedom of thought, conscious and religion in Crimea, occupied by the Russia. Particularly he stated that after the beginning of the occupation the freedom of religion was under threat due to the incidents against certain denominations, in particular the “allegations” were groundlessly fabricated by the punishment bodies

The Mission`s representative rnoted that since 2014 the state-aggressor has been using some kinds of oppression against the freedom of religion, administrative persecution and searches in the religious institutions, accusation of belonging to the “terrorist” organizations, depriving the religious organizations of the property rights, hate speech against the religious groups and discrimination. “There were more than 2000 religious organizations in Crimea before the de-occupation of Crimea”, was stressed, “but in 2017 a little over 800 religious groups were permitted”.

There was noted in the report of the official of the Mission that in April, 2017 the entity of Yehova’s Witnesses were totally prohibited in Crimea by the occupying authorities due to their belonging to the “extremist” organization in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Court of Russia. Examples were given of numerous decisions on the imposition of fines against the imams of Crimean Mosques, of the “criminal cases”, extrajudicial executions, kidnappings and tortures brought against the Crimean Tatars activists as Muslims – citizens of Ukraine, residing in Crimea and following their religious expressions

During the Meeting the Human Rights problems were actively emphasized by the officials of the Mission at the side-evens, organized by the members of the Meeting on the themes: “Violations of Human Rights and International law in Crimea”, “Crimean Tatar People: how to practice and revitalize the traditions and culture of the Indigenous People”, “Presentation of the OSCE key directions within next Slovak presidency”. “ How do ordinary people act at the time of genocide”, “Promotion of political participation of youth by organizing of political and legal events”, “Internet security for women journalists: closing the gaps of personal data”, “Victims of tortures: safeguards against the tortures and force in the context of global systemic rejection of juridical proceeding”.

At the side-events of the OSCE Meeting the officials of the Mission raised the issue of violation of the constitutional rights and freedoms by the occupying authorities in Crimea, persecution of journalists and advocates, illegal house breakins, activity of repressive and punishment bodies of Russia, discrimination of Crimean Tatar People and destroying of Khan Palace in Bakhchisaray.