UN General Assembly resolution mentions names of Crimean Tatar political prisoners

The updated UN General Assembly resolution on the observance of human rights in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine increases international pressure on Russia and records key violations, including torture and illegal detention of Ukrainian citizens.

This was told to Suspilne.krym by Olga Skrypnyk, the Head of the Board of the Crimean Human Rights Group. She explained that the document is of fundamental importance, even given the fact that Russia does not fulfill it.

According to her, the updated resolution clearly states crimes against Ukrainian prisoners, both civilian and military. The document also takes into account the results of international investigations, including the reports of special commissions on war crimes.

Ms. Skrypnyk also drew attention to a new, more rigorously formulated demand to Russia to provide full information about all Ukrainian citizens who are illegally detained.

She emphasized that it is not only about the exchange or release of prisoners, but also about establishing the fate of each person. According to her, the Russian Federation systematically conceals information about civilian hostages, keeps them in illegal places and incommunicado.

Also, this year's resolution directly mentions the names of Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar political prisoners and persons abducted in the occupied territories. Among them are Emir-Usein Kuku, Halyna Dovhopola, Server Mustafayev, Asan and Aziz Akhtemov, Iryna Danylovych, Bohdan Ziza, Enver Krosh, Vilen Temeryanov, as well as Spanish citizen Mariano Garcia Calatayud, abducted in Kherson, whose whereabouts are still unknown.

Olha Skrypnyk emphasized that the resolution remains an important instrument of international support for Ukraine and countering Russian propaganda, even though Russia ignores it. It is on the basis of such documents that international decisions are made in the future.

On December 19, the UN General Assembly adopted an updated resolution on the human rights situation in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. 79 countries voted in favor of the document, 16 voted against, and 73 abstained. Among the countries that voted against it were Russia, Belarus, China, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Nicaragua, and a number of African countries.

In April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution that creates a framework for compensation for damage caused by Russia since the occupation of Crimea in 2014. The document emphasizes the need to take into account the damage caused by the aggressor's actions, including violations of the rights of local residents.

Анна Бальчінос