The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has held Russia accountable for systematic human rights violations in Crimea, a territory occupied by Ukraine.

According to the verdict of the first interstate case between Ukraine and Russia concerning Crimea, the violations began in February 2014 when Russia annexed the peninsula. The breaches included infringements on the right to life, inhumane treatment, restrictions on freedom of religion and expression, among others.

The ECHR, located in Strasbourg, France, delivered a unanimous judgment based on substantial evidence, including witness testimonies and NGO reports, establishing Russia's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court described the incidents as interconnected and numerous, forming a systematic pattern of violations. It mandated Russia to facilitate the safe return of prisoners transferred from Crimea to Russian penal facilities promptly.

Although the ruling's impact may be limited as Russia does not recognize the court's judgments, the decision serves as a critical legal precedent. Russia's expulsion from the Council of Europe following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022 may further restrict the enforcement of ECHR rulings.

The court retains jurisdiction over cases predating Russia's expulsion, as illustrated by the 2014 case under consideration during the recent ruling.

'Great achievement'

A senior Ukrainian official praised the verdict as a significant milestone in international justice, attributing the ruling to a step towards justice restoration for Ukraine. Margarita Sokorenko, Ukraine's ECHR representative, emphasized the ruling's role in disproving Russia's claims of respect for human rights in Crimea.

The Ukrainian government contended that Russia initiated a repression campaign against non-Russians in Crimea since February 27, 2014, involving disappearances, illegal detentions, and other violations. Russia had refuted the allegations of rights abuses and discontinued its participation in the ECHR proceedings in 2022.