European Union

Today, 72 years on from the forcible deportation of the Crimean Tatars from their homeland, they again face persecution and intimidation. The prohibition of peaceful, independent public commemorations of the Crimean Tatars' historical tragedy is not acceptable. Their rights and fundamental freedoms were gravely attacked through the recent banning of the activities of the Mejlis, their self-governing body, and its labelling as "an extremist organisation" by the so called Supreme Court of Crimea. Furthermore, recent reports of arrests of Crimean Tatar activists are of great concern.

The EU has repeatedly expressed its deep concern at the deterioration of the human rights situation in Crimea and Sevastopol since the illegal annexation by the Russian Federation, and calls for full compliance with international human rights standards and other obligations under international law.