representatives of ZMINA. Human Rights Center told to the OSCE about the persecution of civilians in the occupied territories of Ukraine

“Every month we record new cases of arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances, as well as information about torture and deaths in places of deprivation of liberty controlled by Russia” – these words were said in the OSCE by Ukrainian human rights defenders.

“Detention without any legal basis, in deliberately created and maintained inhumane conditions, constant humiliating treatment, physical and psychological violence, lack of access to medical care and a lawyer, coercion to sign or record self-incriminating statements on video, and other gross violations,” – Yelyzaveta Sokurenko, head of the war crimes documentation department of Human Rights Center ZMINA, emphasised during the event “Persecution of Ukrainian civilians in the occupied territories as a crime against humanity: efforts of civil society to restore justice.”

The human rights activist told some of the many stories that Ukrainians are experiencing under occupation. One such story is the story of Iryna. In 2022, Iryna Horobtsova, a volunteer and public activist from Kherson, was detained as a participant in pro-Ukrainian rallies and held in isolation without charge. She has now been charged with “espionage”.

Read more about the event in the ZMINAʼs article.

The event was organised by ZMINA. Human Rights Center (Human Rights House Crimea member organisation) in collaboration with Media Initiative For Human Rights, Ukrainian Legal Advisory Group, KrymSOS, World Organisation Against Torture and supported by the Mission of Ireland to the OSCE and Human Rights House Foundation.