ECHR begins hearing in Ukraine's lawsuit against Russia for human rights violations in Crimea

On December 13, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) began hearing in Ukraine's lawsuit accusing the Russian Federation of systematic human rights violations in the occupied Crimea, reports "European Pravda", citing the announcement by the court.

The Grand Chamber began the hearing at 9:45 a.m. local time. The inter-state case is based on applications filed in March 2014, August 2015, and August 2018.

The Ukrainian Government maintains that Russia has, from 27 February 2014, exercised effective control over the peninsula and has exercised extraterritorial jurisdiction over a situation which has resulted in a pattern of human-rights violations, including the right to life, the prohibition of inhuman treatment and torture, the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, the right on respect for private life and freedom of religion, the right to education, the right to freedom of movement.

The case also deals with the alleged transfer of Ukrainian “convicts” to the territory of Russia.

The media outlet reminds that starting 2022, Russia does not take part in the ECHR proceedings despite still being liable according to judgements on complaints submitted before September 2022.

Because of this, the media outlet assumes, the Russian side will be absent at the hearings on December 13; only Ukraine will present its arguments in the debate, and the court will study Russia's stance on the basis of Moscow's public statements.

As reported by IMI, at least 19 Crimean journalists have faced or are facing to political persecution by Russia since the beginning of Russia's war on Ukraine in 2014; 16 of them are still behind bars.