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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Political violence |
|---|---|
| located: | Ukraine, Russia |
| editor: | Katarzyna Rybarczyk |
As the war in Ukraine continues, human rights abuses remain dire. Russia's latest controversial move has been to force Ukrainians living in the occupied territories to change their citizenship, a move designed to solidify Putin’s control over these regions.
A few weeks ago, Putin signed a decree that allows the deportation of Ukrainians living in the Russian-occupied territories if they refuse Russian citizenship. According to the document, Ukrainian citizens living in parts of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk may remain there until July 1, 2024 if they wish to keep their current citizenship. After that, they can be deported to Russia.
“They radically demand that people either give up their Ukrainian passport in favour of a Russian one, or their property will be confiscated immediately, and they will be resettled," the Ukrainian military reported.
This not only undermines Ukraine's sovereignty, but also attempts to forcefully suppress the Ukrainian identity of those living in the affected regions. By pressuring individuals to renounce their Ukrainian citizenship, Russia is aiming to weaken the cultural and national bonds these people have with their country, thereby acquiring leverage to force them into compliance.
Yuriy Sobolevsky, the first deputy chairman of the Kherson regional council, believes that Russia turns to terrorising the population because few people there actually want to become Russian citizens.
Despite the resistance by many Ukrainians of the forced change of citizenship, the looming threat of property confiscation, resettlement and potential violence creates an environment of fear that leaves them with no choice but to reluctantly accept Russian documents to protect their safety. “Russian soldiers searched everything in our house. When I showed my Ukrainian passport, they shouted that I should change it for a Russian one, and that otherwise my car would be taken away, and I would be deported," an elderly man from near Kherson told Deutsche Welle.
Regrettably, advice offered by Ukrainian authorities does not make it easier for citizens to navigate this harrowing situation. Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets suggested that people should accept Russian citizenship “in order to survive” as those who refuse may be arrested and become a “separate category of civilian hostages.” He also added that Ukrainians should otherwise leave such territories “in any possible way.”
On the other hand, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk appealed to Ukrainians saying “my recommendations remain the same: do not take Russian passports, do not cooperate with the occupiers, leave if possible, wait for the Armed Forces.”
The discordance in guidance compounds the complexity of the situation faced by Ukrainians in the occupied territories. It also underlines the need for a more comprehensive solution to protect Ukrainians amidst the ongoing turmoil. For instance, the international community should support the Ukrainian government in establishing safe corridors to facilitate the safe and orderly evacuation of individuals wishing to leave the occupied territories.
It is a collective responsibility to protect the identity and dignity of all Ukrainians affected by the war, ultimately striving towards a lasting resolution that respects the choices of Ukrainian people.
Image by V T
