125. Citizenship issues became more critical following the agreement between the Russian Federation and the authorities in Crimea, which stipulates that the citizens of Ukraine and stateless persons permanently residing in Crimea or in Sevastopol as of 18 March 2014 shall be recognized as the citizens of the Russian Federation, with the exception of persons who within one month thereafter declare a desire to maintain their or their minor children's active citizenship or to remain stateless persons. 126. The deadline for Crimean residents to refuse Russian citizenship expired on 18 April, after which applications for refusing Russian citizenship were no longer accepted. 127. The HRMMU was informed of constraints faced by Crimean residents who refuse to acquire Russian citizenship: (1) the period granted for initiating the procedure of refusing Russian citizenship (18 April) was too short; (2) instructions from the Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS) on the refusal procedure were only available as of 1 April; (3) information about FMS points was not available until 4 April; (4) from 4 - 9 April only two FMS points were functioning - in Sevastopol and in Simferopol; (5) as of 10 April, 9 FMS points were working: Sevastopol, Simferopol, Yalta, Bakhchisaray, Bilogorsk, Evpatoriya, Saki, Kerch and Djankoy; (6) some requirements in the procedure of refusing Russian citizenship evolved over time, such as the necessity to be make the application in person, and that both parents were required for the application of a child. The HRMMU is concerned that there may be problems with regard to the right to citizenship and will closely monitor any related cases. 128. Article 5 of the adopted Law “On Occupied Territory” states that the forced automatic acquirement of Russian citizenship by Ukrainian residents living in Crimea is not legally accepted by Ukraine, and is not deemed as grounds for the withdrawal of Ukrainian citizenship. 129. The HRMMU is concerned with reports that those who did not apply for Russian citizenship are facing harassment and intimidation. It will be critical that they are ensured their property and land rights, access to education and healthcare and face no curtailment to the array of social benefits associated with citizenship. The transition period in Crimea will end on January 2015. Allegedly, those who have refused to acquire Russian citizenship by this time, will have to apply for residence permits; or else they could face deportation from the territory of Crimea. Freedom of movement 130. The “Law on Occupied Territory” has only minor restrictions to the freedom of movement (foreigners and stateless persons will have to obtain a special permit to enter/leave the occupied territory). Under article 10, freedom of movement between the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and mainland Ukraine is allowed for Ukrainian citizens. On 14 April, the authorities in Crimea announced that full access for Ukrainian citizens to Crimea will be guaranteed as of 25 April. 58 | P a g e