Schwerin: Men break into abandoned buildings - the police strike!

Schwerin: Men break into abandoned buildings - the police strike!

In the past few days, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has made a decisive judgment that Russia condemned in the Crimea for systematic human rights violations. This is a lawsuit filed by Ukraine and that bluntly denounced the conditions after the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In Strasbourg, the judges found that the allegations were a clear pattern of legal violations by Russia. In particular, unlawful detention, abusive tours in court and the draconian oppression of Ukrainian media and language were discussed in schools. The court found that Russia violated the central article of the European Convention on Human Rights, including the right to life and the ban on abuse. The court also criticized the treatment of non-Russian media.

The Ukraine lawsuit includes a variety of allegations, including delay and arbitrary detention. The judges emphasized that a systematic approach to dissenters in the region was observed. Minor who did not want to submit to the Russian patriarchy were put under pressure, and there were numerous reports of threats to Ukrainian Orthodox priests and Muslim imams. It almost looks as if the Russian authorities not only tolerate human rights abuse, but also actively support. Ukraine even speaks of a clear system of suppression of media freedom and expression.

Russia's answer and the Council of Europe

Despite this clear judgment, Russia has signaled that it will not recognize the decisions of the ECHR. This is particularly significant, since Russia has no longer been a member of the European Council since March 2022 and is therefore no longer obliged to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. However, it should be noted that the ECHR continues to be responsible for human rights offenses that have happened up to six months after leaving the Council of Europe. The allegations that were raised in Ukraine against Russia depend exactly during this period.

What does that mean for people in Crimea? The judgment could be viewed as a ray of hope, since it focuses on international human rights standards. Ukraine has not only the support of its citizens, but also from many international actors who urge a solution to the conflict. The pressure on Russia is growing, not least due to the reporting of media that spread independent information about the situation.

The discussions about human rights in Europe created by the judgment are also of great importance. The ECHR has put his finger in the wound and once again shows that human rights are universal and cannot simply be ignored. The case will certainly continue to remain a hot iron in international political discourse.

While other topics are drastically developing at the level of Crimea and require attention, it is important that the international community does not look away and the events are critically pursued. The human rights situation remains a central element in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the judgment of the ECHR may be considered the turning point in the constant discussion.