CTRC starts co-operation with a number of US universities and experts

On Wednesday, July 3, the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre held an online meeting with American analysts and experts.

In particular, the meeting was joined by Fiona Greenland, Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of Graduate Admissions at the University of Virginia, Sam Hardy, Illegal Heritage Research Officer at the Heritage Management Organization, Eskender Bariiev, Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre, member of Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Zarema Bariieva, Manager of the CTRC, and Tatiana Savchuk, Communications Manager of the CTRC.

First of all, representatives of the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre told about the directions of their work, about the situation with human rights violations in the ccupied Crimea, about systemic repressions against pro-Ukrainian activists and representatives of the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.

Ms Fiona Greenland and Mr Sam Hardy were particularly interested in how Ukraine protects the rights of indigenous peoples – Crimean Tatars, Karaites and Krymchaks.

“In 2021, the Law of Ukraine “On the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine” was adopted in Ukraine. Unfortunately, it was a very long process, because  the work over it started back in 1990s,” Bariiev said.

The expert added that this law should still be finalised. According to the CTRC it is necessary to adopt about 15 by-laws and amend at least 10 laws of Ukraine in order for the law to work properly.

“But at the same time, the legal status of the Kurultai and Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people has not yet been determined, although all the necessary documents were submitted long ago”, – explained the Chairman of the Board of the CTRC.During the discussion, the interlocutors paid special attention to the cultural genocide that the Russian Federation is committing against the indigenous peoples of Ukraine.

“Under the guise of “restoration” Russian occupiers continue to destroy the famous Khan Palace in the occupied Bakhchysarai. Unfortunately, now we see how the 16th century monument, which is a unique architectural monument and the only example of Crimean Tatar palace architecture in the world, is being destroyed. And on the site of the Palace of Kalga Sultan and the Mengli Gerai Mosque, illegal construction is being carried out. In addition, the occupants systematically export museum exhibits to the territory of the Russian Federation, conduct illegal excavations, destroy nature reserves and the like. Every year in eastern Crimea, the occupants conduct more than 10 illegal “planned scientific expeditions that investigate archaeological monuments”,” said Zarema Barieva.

As a result, the participants of the meeting agreed on further cooperation with American universities, analysts, experts in the organisation of joint events, one of the key topics of which will be “Genocide of the cultural heritage of the Crimean Tatar people”.