Human rights defenders submit report to UN highlighting health rights violations in occupied Crimea

Human Rights Centre ZMINA, Human Rights House Crimea, and Human Rights Initiative IRADE have submitted a detailed report to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, accusing the Russian Federation of violating the right to health and principles of non-discrimination in temporarily occupied Crimea under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The submission focuses on two key areas. Part one documents the denial of adequate medical care to political prisoners in penitentiary institutions in the occupied Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, as well as to those originally from the region. According to the report, occupation authorities have failed to ensure acceptable conditions in pre-trial detention centers and prisons. Prisoners face overcrowding, torture, poor nutrition, and severe restrictions on access to healthcare.

The situation is particularly dire for individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, many of whom have been deprived of basic medical treatment. Numerous cases cited in the submission show political prisoners denied hospitalization, life-saving medications, and diagnostic tests, with at least 3 persons dying behind bars as a result. Other prisoners continue to experience severe health deterioration, while international appeals for their release remain ignored. The report asserts that this systematic neglect constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment, as well as clear discrimination, particularly against political prisoners and persecuted groups such as Crimean Tatars.

Part two of the submission addresses the militarization of Crimea’s civilian healthcare system. The report highlights that, despite a chronic shortage of medical personnel, civilian hospitals and clinics have been repurposed to meet Russian military needs since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Entire hospital departments have been converted into military wards, medical staff have been transferred or conscripted into military service, and critical care services for civilians have been reduced or eliminated. Patients are often forced to travel long distances for treatment, while emergency services are diverted to support Russian troops.

The submission warns that this militarization further undermines the right to health for the local population, exacerbating discrimination and denial of medical services and placing vulnerable groups at heightened risk.

The full text of the submission is available here.