Human Rights and Humanitarianism in Contemporary Conflict: Education Under Occupation in Ukraine

Rachel Denber of Human Rights Watch will discuss research documenting how Russia has imposed its education system on approximately one million Ukrainian children in territories it occupies, where it also prohibits Ukrainian online education, practices that violate international law. Finally, she will address how these policies might impact the future of Ukrainian statehood, citizenship and national identity as Russia and the new US administration advance a conflict resolution process that will likely seek to recognize Russian annexation and territorial gains.

Rachel Denber is a deputy director in Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia Division. Previously, Denber was a researcher with Human Rights Watch and also directed its former office in Moscow. She has done research and advocacy in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Latvia, Russia, Tajikistan. Ukraine, and Uzbekistan. She has authored and edited reports on a wide range of human rights issues throughout the region. Denber earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in international relations and a master's degree in political science from Columbia University, where she studied at the Harriman Institute. She speaks Russian and French.