Ukrainian lawyer and human rights activist Oleksandra Matviichuk accuses Russia of employing genocidal practices in the occupied regions of Ukraine, stating this to the news magazine “Focus.” She highlighted that the Russians prohibit the use of the Ukrainian language and culture and are killing committed local community members, including mayors, journalists, and teachers.
Matviichuk leads the Ukrainian organization Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. The CCL is responsible for documenting alleged war crimes and human rights abuses.
Furthermore, she told “Focus” about the re-education camps for children. In these camps, the Russians indoctrinate the children into believing they are not Ukrainian but rather Russian. They are told that their parents or relatives have abandoned them, after which they are adopted by Russian families who raise them as Russians.
Matviichuk asserts that these actions are a direct consequence of the remarks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which deny the existence of a Ukrainian nation and culture. Currently, Russia occupies approximately 19 percent of Ukraine.
