The occupational authorities violate the norms of international law and the constitutional rights and freedoms of the citizens

The criminal proceeding is opened due to the fact of the forcible ‘pasportization’ of the citizens of Ukraine in the uncontrolled territories of the Luhansk region (Luhansk People’s Republic, LPR) as the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reports.

It was established during the investigation that the LPR leaders hold the policy of inducement of local citizens to get a passport of the self-proclaimed republic. The obligatory presence of ‘LPR citizen document’ is the condition for getting social payments and employment in the spheres of education, healthcare and social protection. The refusal from the issuance of this document is the ground for discrimination and repressions.

The SBU noted that the forcible ‘pasportization’ violates the norms of international law and the constitutional rights and freedoms of the citizens.

“Imposition of ‘passports’ enhances the dependence of the population from the occupation administration of the so-called ‘LPR’, the system of suppression of the civilian disobedience is created. The issuance of ‘the LPR passports’ is the mean of legalization of mercenaries from Russia in the temporarily occupied territories of the Luhansk region,” the SBU reported.

Actions of the LPR leaders qualified as a violation of the laws and regulations of the war. They face up to 12 years of imprisonment.

On February 10, the Prosecutor's Office of Luhansk region opened the criminal proceeding due to forcible issuance of the so-called passports of Luhansk People’s Republic to the citizens of the temporarily occupied region.