On Tuesday, October 20, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Ukraine held the 15th session of the Crimean Discussion Club on the topic “COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges for the Occupied Crimea”. Experts outlined the scale of coronavirus infection in Crimea and discussed international mechanisms to protect the population of the peninsula. Based on the discussion, recommendations will be developed for residents of the occupied Crimea and the Ukrainian authorities.
The speakers at the event were:
– Eskender Bariiev – Head of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people (moderator);
– Iryna Starovytska – Project Manager of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Ukraine and Belarus (welcoming speech);
– Anzhela Basanets – Head of the Clinic for Occupational Diseases at the Kundiiev Institute of Occupational Medicine, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine;
– Iuliia Lisna – lawyer, legal advisor of the public center of justice;
– Borys Babin – Doctor of Law, Professor, Expert of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center.
The experts discussed the following topics:
1. Dynamics and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in Crimea;
2. Activities of the Russian authorities in the context of the pandemic;
3. Assessment of the activities of the Ukrainian authorities in providing assistance to the Crimeans;
4. Pandemic in the occupied Crimea as a challenge to the international community.
The participants outlined the scale of coronavirus infection in Crimea and emphasized that the statistics published by the occupation authorities do not correspond to reality. In their speeches, the experts urged the residents of Crimea not to use the Russian vaccine, as this could lead to more serious complications and consequences.
The experts also discussed the possibility of helping the residents of Crimea, in particular, using international mechanisms.
The experts called on the international community and the Ukrainian authorities to pay special attention to the situation with the vaccination of Crimean residents with a Russian vaccine that is not certified by the UN.
The participants also appealed to compatriots in Crimea with an appeal to observe measures for the prevention of coronavirus infection, as well as to refrain from attending public events.
Based on the discussion, recommendations will be developed for residents of the occupied Crimea and the Ukrainian authorities.
The event was held with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Ukraine.