Side event at the UN HRC60: systemic abuses of economic, social, and cultural rights in the occupied territories of Ukraine

The side event “From Discrimination to Demographic Engineering: Systemic Abuses of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights in the Occupied Territories of Ukraine” will take place on the margins of the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The event will be held in Room V, Building A, on October 3 at 13:00. It is organized by the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic, the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom, the Permanent Mission of Ukraine, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Crimea SOS, CCE “Almenda”, Regional Center for Human Rights, and Human Rights House Crimea.

In the context of Russia’s ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territories, systemic violations of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights, have become a part of the policy of control. Residents in Crimea and other occupied regions face discrimination and stigmatization on political, national, and linguistic grounds. These practices not only breach international human rights law but also reveal elements of international crimes.

There, access to healthcare, the right to education, cultural and property rights have been systematically violated. Medical care is denied to political prisoners, schools are used for indoctrination with Ukrainian-language instruction erased, and children are forcibly displaced. Cultural heritage is destroyed, appropriated, and exploited, while property seizures, land expropriation, and the transfer of Russian civilians into these regions aim to erase Ukrainian identity and transform the demographic landscape.

The side event shed light on the economic, social, and cultural rights abuses in the occupied territories of Ukraine, in particular the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, analyze their systemic character, and outline possible avenues for accountability. 

It will explore the following issues:

• Discrimination and stigmatization of Ukrainians in occupied territories;
• Denial of the right to health through deprivation of medical care for political prisoners;
• Suppression of the right to education and Ukrainian-language instruction, militarization and indoctrination of children;
• Forcible displacement of Ukrainian children;
• Destruction, appropriation, and illicit trafficking of Ukrainian cultural heritage;
• Demographic engineering and property expropriation, including land seizures.

Opening remarks:

• Ambassador Eleanor Sanders, UK Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the UK to the UN in Geneva

Panelists:

• Ms. Tetiana Zhukova, International Advocacy Manager, Human Rights Centre ZMINA
• Ms. Leniie Umerova, released political prisoner from the occupied Crimea
• Mr. Elvis Cholpuh, Crimean Tatar activist, co-founder of organization Kermen (Germany)
• Ms. Valeriia Kuberska, Lawyer, Centre of Civil Education “Almenda”
• Ms. Kateryna Rashevska, Legal Expert, Regional Center for Human Rights

Moderator: Mr. Dave Elseroad, Head of Advocacy and Geneva Office, Human Rights House Foundation

Closing remarks:

• Ambassador Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN in Geneva
• Minister-Counsellor Gabriela Boiteux Pilná, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN in Geneva

Contact: Tetiana Zhukova, Human Rights Centre ZMINA, tz@zmina.ua