The resistance continues: ZMINA, together with other human rights organisations, has published a Manifesto in defence of Ukrainians living under occupation

Human rights organisations published a joint Manifesto for the Day of Resistance to the Occupation in defence of the rights of Ukrainian citizens living under temporary occupation.

The initiators of the Manifesto were: the Human Rights Centre ZMINA, NGO Donbas SOS, CF EAST-SOS, CF Right to Protection, NGO Civil Holding GROUP OF INFLUENCE, NGO Crisis Insight, NGO CrimeaSOS, CF Stabilization Support Services, the Crimean Human Rights Group, and the “Yellow Ribbon” civil resistance movement against the occupation.

In 2014, the Russian Federation launched a war against Ukraine, which began with the occupation of the Crimean Peninsula. For more than 12 years, part of Ukraine’s territory has been under Russian control. Millions of citizens live in danger every day. Russia unlawfully detains and tortures civilians, abducts people, militarises and indoctrinates Ukrainian children, imposes its own citizenship, seizes property and systematically violates international law.

Despite this, Ukrainian citizens in the temporarily occupied territories continue to resist on a daily basis. Their resilience reminds the world of the ongoing crime of aggression and the need for active and coordinated action by democratic states.

The authors of the Manifesto emphasise that the sole reason for the occupation is the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, and the only way to protect Ukrainian citizens under occupation is through complete de-occupation and the restoration of Ukrainian state authority. The duration of the occupation does not make it normal, and becoming accustomed to it is unacceptable. The state must maintain contact with citizens in the temporarily occupied territories, facilitate their safe departure, and create conditions for reintegration. National security measures should not lead to excessive restrictions on the rights of residents of the occupied territories. International partners should strengthen their support for Ukraine and oppose any pressure aimed at legitimising or expanding the occupation.

The Manifesto is open for signature.

Support it and join the collective position in defence of Ukrainian citizens living under temporary occupation.

The Manifesto can be signed here until 1 March 2026.

After the collection of signatures is completed, the Manifesto will be submitted to the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and other state authorities and international partners of Ukraine.

Every signature matters. This is a joint position in defence of Ukrainian citizens living under temporary occupation.