We Call on Ukrainian Citizens in Temporarily Occupied Territories to Refrain from Participating in Illegal russian state duma Elections

Elections to the russian state duma are scheduled for September 20 this year. russia is extending its electoral process to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, where it is conducting campaigning and propaganda activities, while early voting has already begun.

Representatives of the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations emphasize that Ukraine does not recognize these “elections” as legitimate. Any “electoral processes” organized by russia in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are illegitimate, and their results have no legal force. For russia, they are merely an attempt to legitimize the occupation and annexation of Ukrainian territories.

East SOS, together with representatives of other organizations within the Coalition, calls on Ukrainians in the temporarily occupied territories to refrain from any involvement in organizing or conducting illegal russian “elections”. Under Ukrainian law, voluntarily standing for election, participating in the organization and conduct of such events, and publicly calling for the holding of “elections,” as well as involvement in political activities, constitute collaborationism.

Please take care of yourself and prioritize your safety.

Read the full statement below.

Recently, civil society organizations called on the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine to repeal a requirement that threatens the safety of applicants from the temporarily occupied territories.