A/HRC/41/CRP.2 11. OHCHR is concerned about the occasional violent nature of acts in relation to the transition of churches and religious communities from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church 14 to the newly-established Orthodox Church of Ukraine15 involving supporters of both churches, local authorities and extreme right-wing groups. 12. In the territory controlled by ‘Donetsk people’s republic’, premises belonging to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine were seized, reportedly by the ‘ministry of state security’ of ‘Donetsk people’s republic’. During the reporting period, the ‘ministry of interior’ of ‘Luhansk people’s republic’ reportedly conducted searches in church premises and in priests’ residences, and seized items including personal correspondence. Activities of several Christian denominations continued to be targeted by ‘law enforcement agencies’ of ‘Donetsk people’s republic’, which prevented the congregation of worshippers due to lack of ‘registration’. 13. Peaceful, competitive and largely inclusive presidential elections were held in Ukraine during the reporting period. The first round of elections was held on 31 March 2019, the second round on 21 April 2019. OHCHR observed an increase in peaceful assemblies in the context of elections, and commends the professional conduct of law-enforcement officers policing them. However, the lack of accountability for prior attacks on other peaceful assemblies remains of concern. Accountability for attacks against individuals belonging to minorities, including Roma, remains outstanding more than a year since the events occurred. 14. The final version of the law on the use of the Ukrainian language approved on 25 April 2019 reflects a more balanced approach than that used in the first draft of the law. However, a law protecting the use of minority languages should be developed without undue delay, as the current framework does not provide sufficient guarantees for the protection and use of such languages. 15. Physical attacks against media professionals and civil society activists occurred during the reporting period, although OHCHR notes a lower number of such attacks in comparison with previous reporting periods. The lack of accountability for past attacks remains an issue. Civic space remained highly restricted in territory controlled by ‘Donetsk people’s republic’ and ‘Luhansk people’s republic’, with all assemblies observed reportedly organised by ‘Donetsk people’s republic’ and ‘Luhansk people’s republic’. 16. The Russian Federation, the occupying Power in Crimea, has still not granted OHCHR access to the peninsula in line with the UN General Assembly (GA) resolution on the territorial integrity of Ukraine 68/262 and UN GA resolutions 71/205, 72/190 and 73/263. OHCHR monitors the human rights situation on the peninsula from mainland Ukraine. During the reporting period, the Russian Federation continued to apply its laws, in violation of international humanitarian law applicable to an occupying Power, and committing human rights violations, including against detainees, and those seeking access to education in Ukrainian. The rights of the Crimean Tatars have also been particularly affected. 17. In this reporting period, OHCHR engaged in a number of technical cooperation and capacity-building activities, including the provision of training sessions, on, e.g. the protection of civilians, international standards for the treatment of prisoners and torture documentation, to a variety of actors and the preparation of analytical thematic papers intended for diverse audiences. 18. OHCHR operations in territory controlled by ‘Donetsk people’s republic’ and ‘Luhansk people’s republic’ continued to be restricted between 16 February and 15 May 2019. Ongoing discussions through regular meetings with representatives of both ‘Donetsk 14 15 6 Often referred to as the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate to differentiate it from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate. According to the official registration, it is the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and will be referred to as such throughout this report. Made up of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Kyiv Patriarchate, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church and some elements of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.