11 December 2025

Human Rights Violations in Occupied Crimea Discussed in Sweden

On 10 December, a discussion on the human rights situation in temporarily occupied Crimea was held to mark Human Rights Day.

The event featured Maria Tomak — researcher and advocacy expert at Truth Hounds and Chair of the Board of the Media Initiative for Human Rights. The discussion was moderated by Swedish journalist and writer Stig Fredrikson. The programme also included an online contribution from a member of the film’s creative team.

Serhiy Polovinko, Counsellor of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Sweden, shared his insights on work with Crimean Tatar communities and the importance of international support.

After the discussion, attendees watched the film Homeward by director Nariman Aliev. The film follows the story of Mustafa, a Crimean Tatar father who embarks on a journey with his younger son Alim to bury his elder son — killed in the war in eastern Ukraine — in their homeland, Crimea. The film touches on themes of family relationships, loss, and connection to one’s land against the backdrop of Russian aggression.

The event took place as part of the Ukraine Culture Now Association’s film screening series, in cooperation with the Ukrainian Institute, the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea / the Crimea Platform, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Sweden, and the Crimea Daily media initiative, at the Klarabiografen cinema in Stockholm.