Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Lyudmila Denisova calls on international human rights organizations to stop bullying of Ukrainian citizens in the occupied Crimea and the Russian Federation, and to help ensure their rights to defense and a due process. This was announced by the Ukrainian Ombudsman on her Facebook page.
Denisova pointed out that the abuses of occupation authorities in the so-called courts of the "Republic of Crimea" over the Crimean Tatars continue. She mentioned political prisoners Shaban Umerov and Amet Suleymanov, who despite their health problems, are still being held in custody.
"In addition, four illegally detained Crimean Tatars are denied to right to an attorney. They have not been provided with legal assistance since their arrest, which is a gross violation of the right to defense and a fair trial," the statement said.
The Ukrainian Ombudsman calls on all representatives of international human rights organizations to use the available leverages of influence and stop the bullying of Ukrainian citizens.
“I ask the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to attend court hearings and help ensure the right to a defense and a fair trial and free access to appropriate medical care,” she added.