Amnesty International (AI) reported that since annexation, Russia has oppressed Crimea’s non-Russian residents, namely Ukrainians and Crimean Tartars, in two ways: by changing the region’s ethnic demographics and, more systematically, through “restrictions on education, religion, media, representative institutions, judicial system, and cultural celebrations.”
AI explained that Russian post-annexation figures of Crimea showed a decrease of Ukrainian residents by almost 10 percent and Crimean Tartars by 2 percent, which are figures AI says are inconsistent with even the highest numbers of these residents who fled the peninsula in 2014. AI thus attributed the drop in residents to “ethnic Ukrainians now choosing or feeling compelled to identify as Russian, or a combination of both.”
After annexation, all non-Russian residents were given citizenship to Russia unless they “formally opted out.” Opting out puts the “foreigner” in a disadvantaged position regarding their “economic, social, cultural, political and civil rights.”
The fight is continuing’: a decade of Russian rule has not silenced Ukrainian voices in Crimea
Amid the shaky security situation, Russia’s crackdown on dissent in Crimea, which has been ruthless since 2014, has risen to a new level. As well as the continuing persecution of activists from the Crimean Tatar minority, traditionally largely pro-Ukrainian, Russia’s police and FSB security service have rounded up local people who post Ukrainian-language songs on their social media profiles or express pro-Ukraine views in public.
[…]
Crimean Smersh offers people the chance to denounce their friends and neighbours for “anti-Russian” behaviour. Users can message a secure Telegram bot to send information about such incidents. The channel then posts videos of police raids on people’s houses, and frequently adds mumbled on-camera “confessions” and “apologies” from those accused of being pro-Ukraine.
[…]
Olha Skrypnyk, chair of the Crimean Human Rights Group, said that the first major Russian drone attacks on Kyiv in October 2022, which were proudly broadcast on Russian television, were a wake-up call for many in Crimea who had previously believed Russia was not attacking civilian infrastructure in Ukraine.
[…]
“I think it’s important to show the Ukrainian-minded people in Crimea that we didn’t give up on their freedom,” she said.
Its a shame this information might be looked upon skeptically because Amnesty International doesn’t have any credibility anymore after accusing Ukraine of endangering its citizens by defending itself.
The Russians and their allies will look at this with skepticism. They will deny AI any credibility. They will call AI an American or Ukrainian or Western mouthpiece.
Russia’s enemies will use it for anti-Russian propaganda.
And when AI criticizes Ukraine or Israel or Germany, it is just the other way around.
These reports are of great value to people with a sense of justice, who have an informed opinion about what is happening in the world or who want to work to make the world a little better.
Unfortunately, such people are extremely rare in politics and the media. These people evaluate AI reports and their credibility based on whether they are useful or harmful to their political goals.
Even a broken clock shows the correct time twice a day, I guess.