Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine
Russian military forces control most or all of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Following illegal invasions in 2014 and 2022, the Russian Federation claims to have annexed these regions and subjects them to its repressive legislation, in contravention of international law. The occupation authorities severely limit political rights and civil liberties, have silenced independent media, and employ antiterrorism and other laws against political dissidents. Ukrainian citizens have been compelled to adopt Russian passports, with those who refuse facing denial of basic services, intimidation, expropriation, and expulsion from the regions.
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Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine*
| PR Political Rights | -2 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 1 60 |
Overview
Russian military forces now control most of the Ukrainian regions of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk, and parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. Following illegal invasions in 2014 and 2022, these regions were annexed by the Russian Federation and subject to its repressive legislation, in contravention of international law. The occupation government severely limits political and civil rights, has silenced independent media, and employs antiterrorism and other laws against political dissidents. The rule of law and civil liberties are not respected. Members of an Indigenous minority group, the Crimean Tatars, many of whom had vocally opposed the Russian occupation, have faced acute repression by the authorities. Ukrainian citizens have been compelled to adopt Russian passports, with those who refuse face denial of basic services and medical care, physical assaults and intimidation, expropriation of property, and expulsion from the regions.
In countries where democratic forces have come to power after periods of antidemocratic rule, the new governments should pursue an agenda that protects and expands freedoms even as it delivers tangible economic and social benefits to citizens.
These countries must act swiftly to release all political prisoners, build or revitalize democratic institutions, reform police and other security forces, organize and hold competitive multiparty elections, and ensure accountability for past human rights violations.
In countries where there has been significant erosion of political rights and civil liberties, policymakers, legislators, jurists, civic activists, and donor communities should work to strengthen institutional guardrails and norms that serve to constrain elected leaders with antidemocratic or illiberal aims.
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