Coerced Ukrainian Teachers Face Stark Choices in Russian-Occupied Territories
What Difficult Choices Are Ukrainian Teachers Confronted With?
- Leave everything behind and flee or indoctrinate students with Russian state propaganda
- Abductions, threats, and abuse await those who refuse cooperation
- Hiding one’s teaching profession to avoid scrutiny from occupying authorities
How Are Teachers Coerced into Cooperation?
Russian authorities pressure teachers to work against their will through meetings and psychological coercion. Those unwilling to comply face threats of being blacklisted and continuous harassment.
What Extreme Measures Are Taken If Teachers Refuse to Cooperate?
Physical violence, beatings, and abductions are employed to force compliance. A headteacher shares a harrowing experience of being abducted and beaten for refusing to endorse the school’s operation with Russian propaganda.
Summary:
Ukrainian teachers in Russian-occupied territories face a harrowing choice between fleeing or collaborating with Russian state propaganda. Threats, violence, and coercion are used to force compliance, leading to severe human rights violations that must be addressed.
Source: www.amnesty.org