The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine issued a strong statement regarding the latest wave of searches and detentions of Crimean Tatars in the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula. On the evening of October 15, the ministry emphasized that such actions are another step by the Russian Federation in its systematic assault on the Crimean Tatar people.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Searches in Several Areas of Crimea
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the day before, FSB officers conducted searches in the homes of five Crimean Tatar women in several areas of Crimea. Among those detained are the mother of many children, Esma Nimetulaeva, pedagogical college student Nasiba Saidova, as well as Elvira Aliyeva, Elyanora Osmanova, and Fevziya Osmanova. The women were taken to the FSB office in Simferopol, where they were charged with involvement in a terrorist organization.
Russian media are spreading information about an alleged “women’s cell promoting the ideas of a global caliphate,” attempting to legitimize the persecution of Crimean Tatar women who are mothers, caregivers, and students.
Human Rights Violations and Ukraine’s Response
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that these detentions are a gross violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and undermine fundamental human rights.
“Such actions are part of Moscow’s systematic assault on the Crimean Tatar people, aimed at destroying their national identity, spirituality, and right to their own land,” the ministry’s statement reads.
Official Kyiv has called on the international community, human rights organizations, and media to pay special attention to these events and to demand the immediate release of Esma Nimetulaeva, Nasiba Saidova, Elvira Aliyeva, Elyanora Osmanova, Fevziya Osmanova, and all unlawfully detained citizens of Ukraine.
The ministry emphasized that none of the crimes committed by the occupying authorities will go unpunished, and Crimea was and will remain an integral part of Ukraine. All those involved in the persecution of Crimean Tatars will sooner or later face accountability under international law.