On November 25, the world community celebrates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Thousands of women around the world suffer from violations of their rights, discrimination and, in particular, because of violence. Unfortunately, Crimea is no exception.
After the occupation of Crimea by Russia in 2014, hundreds of activists have fallen under repression for their civic stance. At first, they were only men. However, the Russian authorities did not stop and began to restrict the rights of the female half of the population of the peninsula.
The most vulnerable group are the wives of political prisoners in Crimea. As a rule, they are religious, not very wealthy, have large families. After the detention of the only breadwinner, the responsibility for providing for the family falls on women. In this regard, they cannot pay sufficient attention to the upbringing of their children, and are also deprived of the opportunity for full self-realization in society.
According to the CTRC, 122 mothers were left without their sons, 67 wives were left without their husbands, and 103 daughters were left without their fathers…
A common form of psychological violence against these women is the refusal to grant visits with their husbands. They often do not see each other for several months.
Moreover, the persecution of activists of the Crimean Tatar people has become a negative trend. At the moment, the CTRC has recorded the following offenses against women:
18 searches;
3 attempts to prosecute;
2 arrests in absentia;
5 prosecutions;
1 enforced disappearance;
2 cases of pressure against lawyers;
In addition, 12 women were killed during the occupation of Crimea.
In particular, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center described cases of persecution of Fatma Ismailova, Lilia Budzhurova, Lenara Mustafaieva, Elina Mamedova, Nazifa Seitumerova, Nadzhiie Kaidanova, Hulsum Aliieva, Aliie Kendzhi-Ali, Lutfiie Zudiieva, Mumine Saliieva, Hulsum Khalilova, Lilia Hemedzhi, Venera Mustafaieva, Sevilia Omerova, Emine Abdulhaniieva and others.
On November 23, 2021 alone, Russian security forces detained more than 30 activists in the occupied Crimea, who came to meet lawyer Edem Semedliaiev from the temporary detention facility. FSB officers detained 31 people, 10 of whom were women. Subsequently, the Occupants fined 9 activists:
Azizova Elvina for 15,000 rubles
Ibrahimova Naile – 10,000 rubles
Yanikova Fatime – 10,000 rubles
Abdurakhmanova Elmaz – 11,000 rubles
Kulametova Reikhane – 11,000 rubles
Arslanova Aishe – 11,000 rubles
Hazanchiian Safinaz – 11,000 rubles
Umerova Lemara – 11,000 rubles
Zudiieva Alfiia – 11,000 rubles
We see that women in Crimea are subjected to violation of their rights and psychological pressure by the occupation authorities.
We demand from Russia to fulfill its international obligations, to end discrimination and violence against women, and illegal persecution of all residents of Crimea.