The Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova says that the authorities of some institutions of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service forced Ukrainian political prisoners to vote for amendments to the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
“There is no limit to the aggressor’s cynicism – Ukrainian citizens illegally detained in the territory of the Russian Federation and temporarily occupied Crimea are forced to vote for amendments to the constitution of the occupying country! I have received information that the authorities of some institutions of Russia’s Federal Penitentiary Service force Ukrainian political prisoners to vote in an all-Russian referendum, because it considers them to be Russian citizens. Psychological pressure is being exerted on those who refused to “tick” the ballot,” Denisova said on her Facebook page on July 2 evening.
The ombudsperson said that she considers coercion to citizenship as another type of repressive policy of the Russian Federation in relation to citizens of Ukraine being under occupation.
“I urge representatives of international human rights organizations to use all available levers of influence to force the aggressor country to comply with international humanitarian law and stop the repression of Ukrainian citizens who became victims of the occupation!” Denisova said.
