UN condemns human rights violations in occupied Crimea: new sharp conclusions.

According to ТСН: The United Nations General Assembly adopted a new resolution regarding the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, particularly in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The document was supported by 79 countries, 16 voted against, and 73 states abstained.

Among those who opposed were Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, as well as several African countries.

Main provisions of the resolution

The resolution emphasizes the human rights situation in all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine by Russia and calls for enhanced international monitoring of systemic violations committed by the occupying authorities against the local population.

The document clearly condemns the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, reaffirms Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders. The General Assembly also emphasizes the non-recognition of any attempts to change the status of Ukrainian territories and urges Russia to urgently cease aggression and withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory.

Human rights violations

There is serious concern regarding the militarization of occupied territories, the forced mobilization of local residents into the armed forces of the Russian Federation, as well as the persecution of journalists, human rights defenders, and activists. Particular attention is drawn to the destruction of cultural heritage, including in Crimea.

The document contains new points condemning torture, inhumane treatment, and other gross violations of human rights concerning Ukrainian prisoners of war and unlawfully detained civilians. The resolution is based on the findings of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry into crimes by the Russian Federation, which confirmed instances of enforced disappearances and torture in occupied territories and in Russia.

Calls to the international community

The General Assembly also calls on the Russian Federation to ensure unhindered access for international mechanisms, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, to places of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians. It demanded that these individuals be provided with proper medical care, conduct a full prisoner exchange, and release all unlawfully detained, including Crimean Tatars, civilians, and political prisoners.

The document also mentions a warning from the UN Secretary-General about the potential inclusion of Russia in the so-called 'shame list' for war-related sexual violence crimes. It is noted that for three years, Russia has already been on the list of 'notorious violators' due to the killing and maiming of Ukrainian children, as well as attacks on educational and medical institutions.

Furthermore, it condemns the systematic evasion of Russian authorities in providing information about the fate and whereabouts of abducted or captured Ukrainians and raises demands to disclose this information immediately.

It is worth noting that the UN General Assembly resolution on human rights in Crimea has been adopted annually since 2016, and since 2023, it covers all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.

In light of new evidence of war crimes committed by the Russian Federation, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine reported on the horrific death of two 16-year-old teenagers from the temporarily occupied Melitopol.

This resolution represents the unwavering support of the international community for human rights protection in Ukraine. The document underscores the importance of international investigations into crimes committed in occupied territories and acknowledges the critical role played by the international legal system in ensuring the safety of citizens. The countries that supported the resolution once again reaffirmed their solidarity with Ukraine during this difficult time.