The third day of the Crimea Week in Brussels: documentary screening “Without the Right to Defence”

The third day of the Crimea Week in Brussels, a series of events aimed at strengthening European engagement on Crimea, was dedicated to the topic of lawyers, human rights defenders and journalists under the oppressive regime of the Russian occupation in Crimea. In its framework, the documentary screening “Without the Right to Defence” by Crimea SOS was shown to the public with the expert discussion with Artem Oliinyk from the Crimea SOS, Viktoria Nesterenko from ZMINA and Olha Skrypnyk from the Crimean Human Rights Group with the moderation of Nora Wehofsits from the Human Rights House Foundation.

The independent lawyers defending political prisoners have long been a source of irritation for the occupation authorities. The documentary “Without the Right to Protection” delves into the harrowing stories of victims of politically motivated persecution, providing a platform for voices often silenced by oppressive regimes. Through the lens of lawyers who tirelessly defend these individuals, the narrative unveils the legal battles and personal sacrifices involved in pursuing justice.

“Since 2014, the Russian Federation has implemented a strategy of systemic repression in Crimea, targeting political activists, journalists, and increasingly lawyers. These actions are not merely political; they constitute serious breaches of international legal standards, including the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers adopted by the Eighth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime (1990). These principles affirm that lawyers must be able to carry out their professional functions without intimidation, interference, or sanction. In practice, however, we observe the opposite,” emphasized Artem Oliinyk.

He told that at least 13 Crimean lawyers have been subjected to politically motivated detentions, disbarment, administrative arrests, surveillance, and harassment. The recent revocation of licenses for Liliia Hemedzhi and Rustem Kiamiliev by the so-called “Crimea Bar Chamber” left political prisoners without legal representation. 

“It is our responsibility, as members of the international community, as professionals, as people of conscience to stand with these lawyers. Supporting independent lawyers and human rights defenders in Crimea is not merely a symbolic gesture, it is a critical intervention in preserving the principles of democratic accountability and legal integrity,” Oliinyk called the audience.

For reference: The Crimea Week is a series of high-level discussions, cultural events, exhibitions, documentary screenings and expert exchanges aimed at strengthening European engagement on Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula under Russian occupation since 2014. This initiative spotlights the harsh reality of the residents of Crimea — particularly Crimean Tatars, human rights defenders, and independent voices — who, despite facing systematic repression since the peninsula’s occupation in 2014, continue to demonstrate resilience. It is organized by the Ukrainian and international civil society, in close cooperation with EU institutions, Permanent Representations and the Mission of Ukraine to the EU.