News has erupted with information that Ukraine intends to partially adhere to the European Convention on Human Rights and Freedoms. In light of this, many have experienced panic moods, as, frankly speaking, this is unsettling. Let’s explore together what this threatens the average citizen with.
The relevant document regarding Ukraine’s partial departure from the European Convention was submitted almost a month ago – on April 4 of the current year. The news about it is presented as a fact, without going into details.
What It’s About
The document states that during the martial law, which began in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and will seemingly continue for another month, human rights and freedoms may be restricted. The following points are listed:
- the right to free elections;
- confidentiality of correspondence;
- freedom of movement, freedom to choose a place of residence, entry, and exit from Ukraine;
- freedom of thought and expression, as well as gathering, using, and transmitting information;
- the right to hold meetings, rallies, and demonstrations, etc.
The departures from the European Convention in Ukraine include the following:
- property alienation – for example, when more than one vehicle, listed in the needs list of the Armed Forces, is registered to a physical or legal entity;
- introduction of a curfew in populated areas, during which free movement on the streets is prohibited;
- restriction on the departure abroad of conscript men not in the list of exceptions, as well as restrictions on entry into the country for foreign citizens with the previous procedure;
- possibility of phone checks, belongings inspections, etc.
In other words, some of the constitutional rights and freedoms are indeed limited. To make the news interesting, it is necessary to write about it with the highest emotional coloring, and then the reader will definitely read the material where they write about a real threat to existence. This is what happened this time.
What Actually Happened
The explanation was given by the Minister of Justice of Ukraine, Denis Malyuska. He explained that the notification of the possibility of using these measures was sent to the Council of Europe immediately after February 24, 2022, as should be done according to international obligations. This is standard practice in most countries where military actions are ongoing. There are exceptions, for example, Russia, which does not bother with respect for human rights and international law in general.
Ukraine resorted to this for the first time in 2015 when the war was ongoing in the ATO zone.
This year, the list was updated, as should be done with regularity, even slightly shortening it after the review. Thus, state guarantees of such rights and freedoms were restored:
- absence of discrimination;
- exercise of political activity by foreigners;
- right to compensation;
- freedom of conscience, etc.
Main Risks
However, this information does pose risks, albeit not in the way it may seem at first glance. Currently, the adversary is exerting maximum efforts to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and undermine trust in the government. More precisely, it’s not just about trust or distrust, but about open dissatisfaction and divisive sentiments. Since Russia’s military seizure of territories failed, it is now placing special emphasis on a different aspect – the internal situation. Pushing society to a boiling point in order to remove the current government and install “their” people instead is simply the perfect scenario, one that Ukrainians can achieve on their own if worked on diligently. The economic downturn caused by constant Russian bombardments of industrial facilities and critical infrastructure significantly contributes to this goal.
IPSO topics most frequently exploited include TCK brutalities, “turning into North Korea,” and government corruption amid the war backdrop. The aggressive enemy propaganda campaign has already begun, with the peak of activity expected for at least the next two months.
