Eskender Bariiev: Symbols of Crimean Tatar people should become official in Ukraine

June 24, 2025
Today, on June 24, the Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Center and a member of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar people Eskender Bariiev made a speech at the press conference of the CRC dedicated to the Day of the Crimean Tatar Flag. In his address, he stressed the necessity of official recognition not only of the flag, but also of all national symbols of the Crimean Tatar people – the anthem, coat of arms, as well as the legal status of Mejlis as an important step to restore justice and state recognition of the Crimean Tatar identity.

“In 1917, the Crimean Tatar flag was a symbol of the struggle against colonialism. Therefore, this flag was recognized as the state flag at the I Kurultai. In 1991, the Crimean Tatar flag became a symbol of national revival. Therefore, at the II Kurultai it was defined as the national flag. In 2014, this flag became a symbol of the struggle for the deoccupation of Crimea – then it began to be raised not only by Crimean Tatars, but also by Ukrainians, diplomats, representatives of other peoples. And since 2022, the Crimean Tatar flag is also at the front, together with those who defend Ukraine”, – said Eskender Bariiev.

Separately, the Chairman of the Board of the СTRCC stressed the importance of official recognition of the Crimean Tatar flag as a national symbol and fixing the Day of the Crimean Tatar flag at the state policy level.

“The Law of Ukraine on Indigenous Peoples allows them to have their own attributes and symbols. Therefore, we call to officially fix June 26 as the Day of the Crimean Tatar flag, and to recognize the flag itself as an official symbol.