A nationwide communication campaign to mark the 4th anniversary of the occupation of Crimea was presented in Kiev

On Tuesday, February 20, a press conference “The fourth anniversary of the occupation of Crimea” was held in Kiev. Speakers presented a nationwide communication campaign of the Ministry of Information Policy of Ukraine, the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and several other human rights and public organizations.

One of the key events planned by the Ministry of Information Policy of Ukraine on the eve of the fourth anniversary of the occupation of Crimea is the international forum "The occupied peninsula: four years of resistance"

"The international forum has already become a platform for consolidating the position of state authorities, public figures and the international community." Within the framework of the forum there will be three classic panels,"-said Emine Dzhaparova, the first deputy Minister of Information Policy of Ukraine.

According to her, February 26 should be officially the Day of Resistance of Crimea to the Russian occupation. Emine Dzhepparova noted that now the issue of signing the relevant decree is actually being considered, in order to make this day to become officially the Day of Resistance of  Crimea to the Russian Federation.

She also told about the forthcoming presentation of a documentary about political prisoners of Kremlin, the board campaign "Prisoners of Kremlin". Two video clips  about political prisoners were also shown  at the conference.

Aleksandra Romantsova, Deputy Head of Board of Center for Civil Liberties, noted that on February 26 in different cities of Ukraine there will be a rally-picket "26 Solidarity". Representatives of European countries will also join this campaign.

"The purpose of the action is to show that solidarity is universal, these people are well  known (political prisoners – ed.) and  their release is demanded even outside  of Ukraine," noted Ms. Romantsova.

Eskender Bariiev, a member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people, the Head of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center, said that a number of events will be held in the Henichesk region. In particular, open lessons, a memorial evening, an auto rally and thematic exhibitions will take place in different cities. In Melitopol, according to a member of Mejlis, there will be a mobile information and educational exhibition aimed at supporting families of repressed and political prisoners.

In Kiev, on February 23, a tournament on the national wrestling Kuresh will take place, on February 24 an open lesson dedicated to Noman Chelebidzhihan will be held at school number 165.

On February 26  on Maydan Nezalezhnosti there will be a contest dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the occupation of Crimea at 18-00.

Also, Bariiev told about the launch of the international campaign #LiberateCrimea.

"This is an idea that incorporates both the protection of human rights, solidarity, and the creation of a circle of friends of the Crimean Tatars. This is aimed at ensuring that we talk more about the liberation and deoccupation of Crimea", stated Bariiev.

The campaign is aimed at uniting people around the world who will express their solidarity in the liberation of Crimea by non-violent means.