DISINFO: According to UN, Ukraine is responsible for providing Crimeans with drinking water
SUMMARY
Ukraine is responsible for providing Crimeans with drinking water. According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Elizabeth Trossell, one of the basic human rights is the right to safe and clean water and sanitation. That is why Ukraine, as well as Russia, is undoubtedly responsible for providing the Crimean population with access to drinking water. According to Trossell, Ukraine has an obligation to support the economic, social and cultural rights of the Crimeans and to take all possible measures to ensure an adequate standard of living for all its citizens.
RESPONSE
Manipulative heading of the article and a recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative about the illegal annexation of Crimea. The article does not mention the recent claim by Elizabeth Throssell, that the Russian Federation, as the occupying power, has an obligation for ensuring access to water for protected persons. Crimea is a part of Ukraine and was illegally annexed by Russia. The annexation has been condemned by the UNGA. No international body recognises the so-called referendum, announced on 27 February 2014 and held on 16 March 2014. A year after the illegal annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putin admitted that the plan to annex Crimea was ordered weeks before the so-called referendum.