Overview
Intimidation and attacks by groups advocating discrimination against marginalised minorities and rights activists continued, although more public assemblies by activists were protected by police. Only a handful of perpetrators of serious human rights violations during the EuroMaydan protests were brought to justice, while security service officials responsible for secret imprisonment and torture in eastern Ukraine in 2014-2016 continued to enjoy blanket impunity. Progress in bringing to justice those suspected of past attacks against activists and journalists was reported only in some high-profile cases. New initiatives were put in place to address gender-based violence, but their practical impact was undermined by a lack of political will or resources for implementation. Territories in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) were controlled by Russian-backed separatists and remained inaccessible to many civil society and humanitarian actors. Limited information available from there included reports of violent suppression of all forms of dissent and pervasive torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners. The human rights situation in Russia-occupied Crimea continued to deteriorate, with further extensive reprisals against dissenting voices and religious minorities.
Death penalty status
Abolitionist for all crimes
Does not use the death penalty
News
Media enquiries
Aleksander Artemev
Media Manager, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, +7 495 6901852 alexander.artemyev@amnesty.org
Our Offices
Amnesty International Secretariat Office
View All Contact InfoResearch
Reports, briefings, urgent actions and UN submissions
Commentary
Analysis, opinion, personal stories and more.
Europe and Central Asia
While tackling COVID-19 Europe is being stalked by a shadow pandemic: Domestic violence
Annual report 2019: Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Ukraine
When thoughts are already a crime: The wife of Crimean Tatar Emir-Usein Kuku speaks about the fight for his freedom
Ukraine
Oleg Sentsov thanks activists from Amnesty International for their letters of support