Side event at the Helsinki+50 conference: “Crimea: 11 years of occupation – restoring justice, reinforcing OSCE commitments”

A side event “Crimea: 11 years of occupation – restoring justice, reinforcing OSCE commitments” will take place during the Helsinki+50 Conference at Finlandia Hall on 31 July from 12:30 to 13:15. It will highlight Russia’s aggression against Ukraine since 2014, particularly the occupation of Crimea, as a direct challenge to the core principles and values of the Helsinki Final Act, as well as will underscore that collective OSCE action is essential to uphold the rules-based international order.

Eleven years ago, Russia’s aggression against Ukraine began with the occupation of Crimea – an open and ongoing violation of international law and a direct challenge to the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. Today, as international peace efforts are underway, occupied Crimea remains the key starting point where Russia must be held accountable and stopped.

This side event will focus on restoring the effectiveness of the OSCE’s tools and reinforcing Member States’ actions in the face of growing authoritarian threats to justice, sovereignty, and the rule-based international order, using the example of the devastating impact of human rights abuses, propaganda, and the manipulation of justice standards in temporarily occupied Crimea.

We will present concrete recommendations for OSCE action, including:

• Focus OSCE efforts on addressing systemic violations of the Helsinki Final Act in occupied Crimea and strengthening its capacity to respond effectively to modern forms of aggression and human rights abuses.
• Recognize and respond to the occupation and colonization of Crimea by Russia as a core threat to peace and international order.
• Ensure pressure for the release of all civilian hostages and an end to the systemic persecution of Crimean residents.
• Condemn and counter the indoctrination of children in occupied Crimea, including forced assimilation and propaganda in education.
• Address the growing use of hate speech in occupied Crimea as part of Russia’s repressive policy.

These are not just human rights issues, but tests for the OSCE’s relevance. The event will demonstrate how clear, coordinated pressure and action from OSCE Member States can help restore justice, protect fundamental rights, and prove that the rules-based world order will not be dismantled by aggression.

Panelists:

• Ms. Viktoriia Nesterenko, Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Ms. Olha Skrypnyk, Crimean Human Rights Group
• Ms. Mariia Sulialina, Centre of Civil Education “Almenda”
• Ms. Kseniia Korniienko, Regional Center for Human Rights

Moderator: Mr. Joeri Buhrer Tavanier, the Netherlands Helsinki Committee

Attendance at the side event is limited to registered participants of the Helsinki 50+ conference.

The side event is organised by the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Crimean Human Rights Group, Centre of Civil Education “Almenda”, Regional Center for Human Rights, Crimean Process, Human Rights House Crimea, and the Netherlands Helsinki Committee.