Ukrainians in Crimea forced to join Russian army, deprived of right to land

"The situation in Crimea is overshadowed by a new wave of active Russian military aggression in Ukraine. Ukrainians in Crimea are drafted into the Russian army and are forced to fight against their homeland. Refusal is punished with detention and imprisonment. They are deprived of the right to own land plots in Crimea, to study in their native language. Religious institutions are closed or arrested by the occupation authorities," First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said at the 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

As the official stressed, the leaders of the Crimean Tatar people and Ukrainian activists are arrested and imprisoned for up to 20 years on charges of espionage, sabotage, and terrorism.

The 34th session of the UN Human Rights Council on the deterioration of the human rights situation in Ukraine due to Russian aggression is held in Geneva today.

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