Human rights activists named the top five laws that violate the rights of Crimeans (VIDEO)
Kyiv, January 12 (PolitNavigator, Vladimir Mikhailov) – Members of the Crimean Field Mission for Human Rights named the Ukrainian and Russian laws adopted in 2014 that most worsened the situation with civil liberties in Crimea.
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The number of human rights violations in Crimea is growing, and laws restricting rights and freedoms are being adopted by Russian, Ukrainian, and Crimean authorities, the chairman of the Crimean Field Committee said on Monday in Kiev at the press conference “TOP-5 laws that violate human rights in Crimea” Human Rights Mission Andrey Yurov.
“Of course, there are more than five new laws that pose a threat to Crimeans. But we chose those that pose the greatest threat. These are Russian laws on increasing responsibility for separatism and extremism, toughening penalties for dual citizenship, the Ukrainian law on a “free economic zone” in Crimea, as well as laws adopted by the Crimean authorities on the legalization of self-defense,” he said.
The Law “On the Creation of a Free Economic Zone of Crimea,” adopted by Ukraine on September 27, discriminates against Crimeans based on their place of residence, says Daria Sviridova, a lawyer at the Ukrainian Helsinki Union for Human Rights.
“The law and NBU resolutions No. 699 and No. 810 adopted on its basis recognize Ukrainian citizens living in Crimea as non-residents, which entails restrictions on rights. The law violates a number of principles of the Constitution and entails discrimination from the point of view of the European Convention on Human Rights,” she says.
According to Sviridova, a danger for Crimeans is also posed by the tightening of Russian migration legislation, namely, the recently adopted provision on mandatory notification by citizens of their second citizenship. Although a delay in its entry into force is provided for Crimeans, it may be cancelled, the lawyer believes. In this case, all Crimeans with Ukrainian citizenship will have to inform the authorities about their existence. Concealment of information is punishable by up to criminal liability - a fine of up to 200 thousand rubles or in the amount of the convicted person’s annual income or up to 400 hours of compulsory labor. For late notification, you are also fined, although for a much smaller amount - from 500 to 1 thousand rubles.
Having a second citizenship entails restrictions on a number of rights. Crimeans with two passports will not be able to work in the civil service.
The Law on Crimean self-defense “On the People's Militia - the People's Guard of the Republic of Crimea” legalizes a dangerous armed group and also poses a serious threat to Crimeans, Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Field Mission for Human Rights Olga Skripnik is convinced. The human rights activist claims that the Crimean self-defense is involved in kidnappings, murders, seizure of property, attacks on journalists and dispersal of peaceful assemblies. According to her, the Crimean field mission has information that members of the self-defense receive letters personally from the Crimean governor Sergei Aksenov.
The implementation of the Russian law “On Combating Extremist Activities” in Crimea also violates the rights of Crimeans, says Dmitry Makarov, Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Field Mission for Human Rights. “This law introduces the concept of extremist materials. And now in Crimea, in religious institutions and in private homes of people professing Islam, they go through searches for these materials,” he noted. Amendments to the Criminal Code that increase liability for calls for separatism could become a serious threat, Makarov believes.
“Last summer, Article 280.1 (“Public calls for actions aimed at violating the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation”) was introduced into the Criminal Code. Under this article, a person can receive up to four years in prison, and if the call is disseminated through the media or the Internet - up to five years. It is not yet clear whether this article will punish people for the phrase “Crimea is Ukraine” on Facebook, but in fact it sends a signal that the very discussion of the issue of ownership of this or that territory of Russia can be punished quite severely,” the human rights activist added.
The Crimean Field Mission for Human Rights is a joint initiative of Russian and Ukrainian human rights activists. The mission has been operating in Crimea since March 5, 2014.
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