Human rights defenders and government officials discussed approaches regarding documents issued under occupation

On December 18, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea presented the analytical note “What approaches can be taken regarding the documents issued under occupation?”. The event was organised by the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and a coalition of human rights organisations working to protect the rights of victims of the Russian armed aggression. The discussion was attended by representatives of government agencies, ministries and NGOs.

The discussion focused on the need to develop mechanisms for taking into account information from documents issued by the occupation authorities. This includes millions of documents — civil status, medical, educational, legal transaction, court decisions, and more — which are invalid under Ukrainian law. However, Ukrainian citizens who remain under occupation cannot obtain other documents as a result of Russia’s policy. Since 2014, Ukraine has had a presumption of non-recognition of documents issued under occupation. However, according to human rights defenders, approaches should be developed to use information from the most important documents.

The speakers emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach to developing a vision of how information from documents issued under occupation can be used in the government-controlled territory of Ukraine.

During the discussion, the participants unanimously concluded that the de-occupation of the territories and the reintegration of the population, as well as the resumption of state activities in the liberated territories, should be considered now. To do this, the state should develop a comprehensive policy that takes into account legal, social and administrative aspects.

In conclusion, representatives of the coalition of human rights organisations proposed concrete steps that can be taken now to simplify the work after de-occupation, including the development of administrative procedures for the recognition of documents, the creation of registers to record aggression against property, ensuring access to education and healthcare, as well as taking into account the employment and insurance record of citizens and the use of Russian passports as one of the tools of personal identification. After the analytical note is finalised with the results of the discussion, the document will be published and sent to the government for consideration in the development of regulatory acts.

For reference

The Coalition of organisations dealing with the protection of the rights of victims of armed aggression against Ukraine includes: the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, CF Right to Protection, Donbas SOS, East SOS, CrimeaSOS, Crimean Human Rights Group, GROUP OF INFLUENCE and Charity Foundation Stabilization Support Services.

This material has been funded by UK International Development from the UK Government; the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official position of the UK Government.

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