Russia creates 'suffocating climate of fear' in occupied areas of Ukraine, UN says
Extrajudicial executions, torture, forced disappearances, arbitrary detentions: Russia maintains a “
climate of fear
” in the occupied areas of Ukraine, according to a UN report published Wednesday March 20.
Based on interviews with victims and witnesses, it also details attempts to impose Russian language, citizenship, laws, justice system and educational programs, while suppressing expressions of culture and identity. Ukrainians.
A couple walks past billboards promoting the upcoming presidential election with words in Russian: "Your voice is important" on a street in Luhansk, the capital of the Russian-controlled Luhansk region in eastern Ukraine, Thursday March 14, 2024. © AP
By: RFI with AFP
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“
Russia has created a stifling climate of fear in the occupied areas of Ukraine, committing large-scale violations of international humanitarian and human rights law
,”
according to this report
cited in a press release from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. of Human Rights and based on 2,300 interviews with victims and witnesses.
“
The scale of the violations committed by the Russian Federation during the occupation is immense,
” underlines the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
From the start of the invasion, Russian forces carried out "
arbitrary detentions of civilians
, often accompanied by torture and ill-treatment
."
The document also describes “
enforced disappearances
”.
The crackdowns target anyone perceived to be pro-Ukrainian or “
anyone perceived to oppose the occupation
.”
Children “
enlisted
” to “
learn Russian patriotism
”
Russia “
imposes language, citizenship, its laws, its judicial system, while suppressing expressions of Ukrainian culture and identity
.”
Children are particularly targeted,
underlines Danielle Bell, who heads the observation mission of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
in Ukraine:
“
The Russian Federation has imposed its own educational program in schools, contrary to its obligation under international humanitarian law not to interfere with existing institutions.
Teachers in the occupied territories described being forced to teach the Russian curriculum and use textbooks with pro-Russian narratives that justified the armed attack on Ukraine.
Occupation authorities also conscripted children into youth organizations to teach them Russian patriotism.
»
The occupation authorities “
cut off
” Ukrainian televisions, radios, internet and mobile networks and rerouted traffic via Russian networks, “
which made it possible to control the information accessible online
”, details the UN.
Residents of occupied areas “
have been encouraged
” to denounce each other, “
which makes them afraid even of their own friends and neighbors
,” he adds.
Also read: Danielle Bell: “In Crimea, Russia’s policies aim to suppress dissent”
Excessive prosecutions for collaboration in territories reconquered by kyiv
The report also singles out the Ukrainian authorities.
In the territories that were liberated and reconquered by kyiv, in the east and south of the country, the UN is concerned about excessive prosecutions for collaboration with the occupiers.
The latter are notably committed against people working in the “
essential services
” sector.
“
These prosecutions have tragically led to some people being victimized twice – first under Russian occupation, then again when they are prosecuted for collaboration
,” the UN lamented.
The report encourages the Kiev authorities to “
revise its approach in order to align with international law
” and to favor an approach that promotes “
tolerance
” and “
fights against stereotypes
”.
Also read Ten years ago, the annexation of Crimea by Russia
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