Monday, March 17, 2025 

In the most recent Urgent Action Letter, the Union has written to Tatiana Moskalkova, the Human Rights Commissioner of the Russian Federation, urging the immediate and unconditional release of Olha Baranevska, a 61-year-old retired nursery teacher from Melitopol, Ukraine. Our letter emphasizes the need for Olha to receive adequate medical care and calls for an investigation into her abduction, arbitrary detention, alleged torture, and the falsification of evidence against her. 

“It is heartbreaking that Olha stood up for what she believed in and is now paying the price with her freedom. Nobody should be punished for refusing to surrender their principles”, Says Noori Arora, Racialized Representative. 

Olha Baranevska chose to stay in her hometown to care for her elderly mother after Russian forces occupied Melitopol. She refused to work under the Russian-imposed school curriculum, leading to her abduction and eventual imprisonment. She was sentenced to six years in prison on false charges of “participation in a terrorist organization,” based on coerced testimony and planted evidence. While in detention, she has been denied proper medical treatment for diabetes and other health issues. On top of that, she was informed of her mother’s passing on her mother’s 85th birthday. 

Olha’s case reflects a rising trend of systemic human rights abuses in Russian-occupied territories. Teachers, journalists, and civil society members have been targeted to suppress Ukrainian identity. These actions violate international humanitarian law, including protections for civilians under occupation, and represent a dangerous assault on basic freedoms. 

“We need to speak up not just for Olha, but for everyone being oppressed in this way. I hope the Human Rights commissioner will stand up against these injustices faced by the Ukrainian population living under occupation”, says Arora. 

We urge the Human Rights Commissioner to take immediate steps to secure Olha’s release and ensure accountability for the abuses committed against her and all others experiencing the same. 

We urgently await a response from the Human Rights Commissioner. 

The Amnesty Urgent Actions Program allows for the Union to consistently take solidarity action regarding international human rights injustices that matter to students. Click this link to see injustices we have addressed previously, and for further information about this issue or to see a copy of the letter, contact the Equity Coordinator below.