On April 15, 2014, the Law of Ukraine № 1207-VII “On Ensuring the Rights and Freedoms of Citizens and the Legal Regime in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine” came into force.

This law determined the status of the Ukrainian temporarily occupied territories as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. It established a special legal regime and identified the specifics of the activities of state bodies, local governments, enterprises, institutions and organizations under this regime, observance and protection of human and civil rights and freedoms, as well as the rights and legitimate business interests.

The law became one of the first reactions of the Parliament of Ukraine to the settlement of the issue of realization and protection of citizens’ rights in the conditions of the temporary occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as the working conditions of the peninsula authorities during the occupation.

Ukraine has committed itself to taking all necessary measures to guarantee human rights and fundamental freedoms, provided by the Constitution of Ukraine, international treaties – for all the citizens of Ukraine residing in the temporarily occupied territory and to maintain financial, political, social, informational, cultural and other ties with them.

Responsibility for violations of human and citizen rights and freedoms provided for by the Constitution and the laws of Ukraine, which occur in the temporarily occupied territory, shall be placed on the Russian Federation as the occupying power in accordance with the norms and principles of international law.

Compulsory automatic acquisition of Russian citizenship by citizens of Ukraine residing in the temporarily occupied territory is not recognized by Ukraine and is not a ground for loss of Ukrainian citizenship.

The full text: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/1207-18#Text