Forced Russian citizenship: how does Russia compel Ukrainians to accept Russian passports through coercion?

Forced Russian Citizenship: How Does Russia Compel Ukrainians to Accept Russian Passports Through Coercion?

This critical issue took center stage during a roundtable organized by the Ombudsman's Office in collaboration with the “Where Are Our People?” campaign and PR Army, in partnership with Coalition Ukraine 5AM.

In occupied Crimea, over 450,000 Ukrainian citizens, and in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, a staggering 1.4 million individuals have been forcibly coerced into obtaining Russian passports. The occupying authorities employ a range of tactics, including psychological pressure, intimidation, blackmail, and even torture, subjecting people to unbearable conditions until they relent and accept these documents.

Those who still resist face the ominous threat of deportation to the Russian Federation and the confiscation of their property.The roundtable's distinguished speakers delved deep into the legal intricacies surrounding coerced citizenship, scrutinized Russia's underlying motives, and closely examined the potential criminal accountability of those responsible for compelling Ukrainians to adopt foreign passports.

We’re grateful to the speakers for their input into the discussion.