Alena Lunova and Olha Kuryshko met with Italian Senators in Rome: Crimea, the tribunal and countering propaganda

On 11 July 2025, during an advocacy trip to Rome, Alena Lunova, Advocacy Director of the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, and Olha Kuryshko, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, met with Italian Senators.

Photo: Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea

In particular, Lunova and Kuryshko met with Senator Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata of the Brothers of Italy Party, who is also the Chairman of the EU Policies Commission and a Member of the Human Rights Commission. During the conversation, several key issues of mutual interest to Ukraine and Italy were discussed. In particular, the topic of establishing a Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine was addressed. The Senator expressed deep interest in Ukraine’s position on this format of international justice and support for the initiative at the European level.

Special attention was paid to the threats posed by Russian propaganda, both in Ukraine and in the European Union. In the context of Italy, this issue is particularly relevant given the numerous cases of informational influence from the Russian Federation. The discussion also covered the potential to engage youth from various countries in initiatives aimed at countering disinformation and building resilience against external manipulation.

The third important aspect addressed was the issue of unlawful detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories, particularly in Crimea. A mentoring programme initiative was presented, which involves European, including Italian, parliamentarians in publicly supporting journalists, civil society activists and representatives of the Crimean Tatar people who have been persecuted and deprived of their liberty for their stance.

Lunova and Kuryshko also met with Senator Filippo Sensi of the Democratic Party, who is the Vice‑President of the Human Rights Commission and a Member of the EU Policies Commission. The discussion focused on the most acute challenges facing Ukraine under Russian occupation, particularly the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The importance of publicly recognising and supporting civil resistance, which continues despite ongoing repression by the occupying authorities. Kuryshko and Lunova spoke about the activities of resistance movements such as Yellow Ribbon, Zla Mavka and ATESH, and about how thousands of people in the occupied territories continue to actively support Ukraine, risking their freedom and their lives.

They emphasised that repression against the civilian population, the atmosphere of fear and persecution, must be clearly articulated in international political discourse. That is why it is extremely important to engage the support of international partners so that the issue of Ukraine’s territorial integrity does not become the subject of any political compromises.

We would like to thank our Italian colleagues for their tremendous support for Ukraine!

As a reminder, Alena Lunova and Olha Kuryshko joined an event “Ukraine and Italy. Why does Crimea unite us?” in Rome. It was dedicated to the situation in the temporarily occupied Crimea, the impact of the prolonged occupation on human rights, and the role of Crimea in the process of Ukraine’s recovery. The event was organised by the Italian Federation for Human Rights, the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, the International Partnership for Human Rights, and Europa Radicale, with the support of the Crimean Platform Office.

Moreover, Alena Lunova participated in the discussion “One Nation – Many Homes: From Local Leadership to Transnational Reintegration” on the role of IDP Councils in Ukraine’s recovery processes. It was organised by the Congress of IDP Councils and the CF “Stabilization Support Services” with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.

It is worth noting that on the eve of the URC2025, Ukrainian and international humanitarian and human rights organisations called on the Government of Ukraine, as well as international partners, to ensure that the needs and rights of residents of temporarily occupied territories are included in recovery plans. You can read and support the joint statement at the link.