Human rights activist: Russia's strategic task is to change composition of Crimean population

The Ukrainian authorities should examine the demographic situation in Crimea as the Kremlin takes active measures to change the population on the occupied peninsula.

"The strategic task of the Russian Federation is to change the composition of the population in physical and self-awareness terms. For the most part, what we can document, one of methods is the movement of the militarized population. We are talking about the military, members of law enforcement agencies. Moreover, since Russia formally considers Crimea its territory, they move [to the peninsula] not on a business trip but for a permanent job, they already move with their families. If we are talking about a FSB officer, then we can actually multiply by three, because he, for example, comes with his wife and a child," Head of the Crimean Human Rights Group Olha Skrypnyk said, Ukrinform reports with reference to Crimea.Realities.

Russia still propagandize and advertise moving to Crimea, she added.

"An important trend against the background of all these developments is that it [Russia], in principle, is trying to destroy or oust the pro-Ukrainian population," the human rights activist said.

The Head of the Crimean Human Rights Group emphasizes that the law on punishment for war crimes would help to investigate and document the demographic situation in occupied Crimea. It was adopted at second reading but has been pending President's signature for six months already.

The Parliament passed the law on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine concerning the implementation of international criminal and humanitarian law (No. 2689) in May 2021 with 248 votes, mostly of members of the Servant of the People party. The author of the bill is incumbent Minister of Internal Affairs Denys Monastyrsky. In June 2021, the law was submitted to the President for signature, but it has not yet been signed or returned for revision.

ol