The Majlis of the Crimean Tatar people categorically rejects any attempts or actions aimed at recognizing occupied Crimea as Russian territory. In their statement released on April 24, representatives of the body emphasized that any recognition of Crimea as Russian is a gross violation of international acts and norms.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Main Arguments of the Majlis Against the Unacceptability of Recognizing Crimea as Russian
The statement highlights that attempts to legitimize the occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation violate the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and decisions of the UN General Assembly. This, they say, constitutes an encroachment on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as a disregard for the rights of the Crimean Tatar people, particularly their right to self-determination and participation in decision-making regarding their land.
“Encouragement of the policy of ethnocide against the Crimean Tatar people, which is being carried out today by the Russian occupying authorities, starting from the first day of the temporary occupation of Crimea in 2014.”
They noted the systematic pressure and persecution of Crimean Tatars, the ban on the Majlis, religious persecution, the policy of Russification, the destruction of cultural heritage, and the mass relocation of Russian citizens to the peninsula. The statement also emphasizes the importance of preventing the establishment of a precedent of impunity for the aggressor, which could undermine the international security system.
Call for Deoccupation and International Support
The Majlis stresses that the only legitimate way to end the Russian-Ukrainian conflict is the deoccupation of Crimea and other temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. They warn that any alternative options could lead to even greater human suffering, particularly for the Crimean Tatar people, and increase the risk of undermining the international security system.
Furthermore, the statement emphasizes that attempts to legitimize occupation by any country are a negative signal for the international community and may encourage other regimes to use force to seize territories.
Overall, the Majlis insists that the only correct solution for achieving peace in the region is the return of Crimea under Ukraine’s control, which will ensure the preservation of the rights and security of all Crimean communities.