In the framework of permanent cooperation with United Nations’ bodies and agencies, our Association informed UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Paula Gaviria Betancur for her next thematic report on international humanitarian law challenges for internally displaced persons.
ARC’s submission, prepared by Prof. Borys Babin, Dr. Kateryna Karpova, and other experts, and published by UN now, reminded UN officials of Ukrainian strategic and program documents regarding processes of reintegrating Crimea after its de-occupation that included analysis of internal displacement.
ARC also stressed the relevant recommendations of the Strategic Forum “Future of Crimea” for the Ukrainian government to make relevant preparations for resettlement into the de-occupied Crimea during the reintegration period.
ARC’s submission stressed the urgency of UN General Assembly resolutions, including 80/223, dated 18 December 2025, which condemned again the forced or compulsory imposition of Russian “citizenship” on protected persons, as well as the associated negative impacts on the human rights situation, including the forcible transfer within occupied territory or deportation of civilians, deprivation of land and residential property ownership, etc.
ARC did remind that Resolution 80/223 stressed again serious concern about violations of international law by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine, including those involving arbitrary detention of civilians, the taking of hostages, and so-called filtration procedures, particularly affecting displaced persons, and strongly condemned the ongoing impunity in reported cases of enforced disappearances and the continued use by Russia of these practices to intimidate and oppress the local population.
ARC added that UN Resolution 80/223 stressed grave concern about the Russian policies and practices, which cause a continuing threat and have caused numerous Ukrainians to flee from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, and reaffirmed the right of return of all internally displaced persons and refugees affected by the occupation by Russia to their homes in Ukraine.
ARC’s submission stressed that, in the conditions of ethnic cleansing and racist and discriminatory policies, committed by Russia, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide must be taken into account regarding those issues.
ARC’s submission also pointed to challenges connected with artificial intelligence in conditions of interstate conflicts and relevant war crimes, drone activities, disinformation, genocidal calls, hate speech, and racist incitements in media and social networks, including relevant threats for the internally displaced persons.
Ukrainian ministries also informed the UN Special Rapporteur on that issue, stressing that in 2025 the free legal aid centers received 43,659 requests from persons displaced from occupied territories or territories where hostilities are taking place.
As a result, 9,548 decisions were issued granting to those persons, and in 34,111 cases individuals were provided with free primary legal aid.
