United Nations officials on Monday expressed deep concern over Moscow’s “mass conferral” of Russian passports in Ukrainian-controlled territory and denial of basic services to those who refuse them.
The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has stated that residents without Russian citizenship will not have access to some state services. UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif told the Human Rights Council in a debate on OHCHR’s latest report on rights in Ukraine:
In Russian-controlled territory we have observed with deep concern a policy of mass conferral of Russian citizenship on residents. Individuals who opt not to accept Russian passports will not have an access to essential public services such as social security and healthcare.
A number of everyday tasks, such as receiving state benefits, finding or keeping a job, or seeking medical care, require Russian documents.
In April, Putin signed a decree under which residents in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Lugansk regions could be deported if they do not obtain a Russian passport by 1 July 2024 and if they threaten Russia’s national security.
